N1K2-Ja

N1K2-Ja

N1K2-J

Kikka

N1K2-Ja

N1K2-J

Kikka

Japan

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
6.0	6.0	6.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:35 000

Purchase:210 000

Show in game

This page is about the Japanese fighter N1K2-Ja. For other variants, see N1K (Family).

Description

The N1K2-Ja Shiden-Kai is a rank IV Japanese fighter with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB) and 6.3 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	626	610	11000	19.8	20.4	14.2	14.2	300
Upgraded	675	650		18.5	19.0	23.2	18.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	450	520	520	320	~11	~9

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 430	< 460	< 400	> 324

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The N1K2-Ja is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg outer + 200 rpg inner = 900 total)

Suspended armament

The N1K2-Ja can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (240 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 4 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
• 2 x Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets
• 2 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets
• 2 x Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator			Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
II		Compressor	Airframe		Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets	7 in (mod20)
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm	Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets	12 in (mod30)
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 20 mm cannons	Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

Cons:

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

In-game description

Kawanishi Shiden-Kai Model 21Ko, Kawanishi N1K2-Ja (code name "George") Marine Interceptor-Fighter

This fighter-bomber version of the N1K2, the N1K2-Ja Model 21Ko, was developed at the time the N1K2-J began production. The main difference between the two planes was the 21Ko's steel underwing pylons. This Shiden-Kai could carry four 250-kg bombs, two under each wing, or two 500-kg bombs, or two or four 60-kg bombs. It could also carry unguided rockets, like the N1K2-J.

The N1K2-Ja could be visibly distinguished from its predecessor by the lower position and reduced area of its horizontal fin.

Upon its success in factory testing, the N1K2-J was selected by the Japanese Imperial Navy as its primary fighter and fighter-bomber. The Navy's plan was to launch large-scale mass production of the Shiden-Kai, but its production was always behind schedule. The situation became more critical when American B-29 Superfortress bombers began attacking Japanese industrial sites. The attacks did not target the production facilities containing the Shiden-Kai assembly lines, but supply companies were attacked, leading to a shortage of sheet metal, forged steel, stamped aluminum, and engine and chassis parts.

N1K1-J fighters were first used in battle near Lake Sebu in October 1944, then used en masse in the Philippines. From the end of 1944 on, the N1K1-J and N1K2-J aircraft were primarily used for the defense of the Japanese homeland.

The most famous squadron of Shiden-Kai was formed in December 1944. Known as the 343rd Kokutai, it was under the command of the most experienced Japanese naval commander, Minoru Genda. His squadron consisted of Japanese aces, and their planes were all N1K2-Js. This "Genda's Blade" squadron was known as a squadron of experts, the elite of the Imperial Navy's aviators. The Americans quickly felt their skill in battle. For instance, in February of 1945, Midshipman Kaneyoshi "Kinsuke" Muto, piloting an N1K2-Ja, single-handedly attacked 10 F6F Hellcats, shooting four of them down and forcing the others to retreat.

The Shiden-Kai was an extremely unpleasant surprise for the Americans. The original Shiden was good, but this model, free of its predecessor's "childhood illnesses", was superb. It would soon become clear that even a pilot of average skill in a Shiden-Kai could challenge any Allied fighter, even the P-51 Mustang, which began its fight in the skies over Japan in the spring of 1945.

Production of the N1K2-J ended after Japan surrendered. In all, 1,435 Shidens of all variants were constructed, including 998 N1K1-Js and 415 N1K2-Js.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

Kawanishi Aircraft Company (川西航空機)
Fighters	J6K1
N1K	N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja
Bombers	H6K4 · H8K2 · H8K3
Hydroplane	N1K1 · E7K2