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Last update:
12/13/2011
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Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai |
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Scale 1:33 |
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Author: Lukasz Fuczek |
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File Size: 31.3Mb |
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Please take a look at
Our Offer page before placing an
order. |
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Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai
343 Kokutai, Hikotai 301
Japan, April 1945
Choice of two aircraft:
CPO Shoichi Sugita - 120+ victories
Lt Naoshi Kanno - 48 victories
This model is also available in printed format
from Model-Hobby
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Price $14.00 |
Model # 062 |
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If ordering a CD, please
add $5.75
for Shipping & Handling. One charge per order. |
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Technical data: |
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Length |
9.3 m |
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Span |
12.0 m |
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Engine |
Nakajima NK9H Homare, 1,990hp |
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Max Speed |
594 km/h |
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Armament |
4 x 20mm Type 99 Model 2 |
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Crew |
1 |
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Model has option to complete it in the basic form or fully
detailed with movable control surfaces, full cockpit, engine and gun
compartments. Model consists of
7 pages of assembly diagrams and 15 pages of parts, |
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The N1K2-Ja
Shiden Kai
(Japanese for "Violet Lightning--Improved") was the best fighter used in
significant numbers by the Japanese Navy during World War II. Known by
the Allies as the "George," this maneuverable, heavily-armed fighter was
a formidable opponent in the closing months of the war.
The
Shiden Kai
was considerably better than the Japanese Navy's most common fighter,
the A6M Zero. With a top speed of 369 mph, the N1K2 was about 20 mph
faster than the A6M Zero. The heavier
Shiden Kai
also possessed
surprisingly good maneuverability due to a mercury switch that
automatically extended the flaps during turns. These "combat" flaps
created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. Moreover, its four 20
mm automatic cannon provided greatly increased firepower than earlier
Japanese designs. Unlike the A6M Zero, the
Shiden Kai
could compete against the best late-war U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Air
Forces fighters.
The N1K2-J was developed
to counter high-flying B-29s. It first entered combat early in 1945, and
over 400 were produced before the war ended. The
Shiden Kai
primarily equipped the 343rd Kokutai, a unit composed of the Japanese
Navy's best fighter pilots. Commanded by Capt. Minoru Genda, the
mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack, the 343rd Kokutai entered combat
in March 1945 in the defense of the Japanese home islands.
Shiden Kai
pilots scored several successes against low-flying, carrier-based U.S.
Navy fighters. Even so, they did little to stop high-altitude B-29
attacks because of the N1K2's insufficient climbing ability and the
considerable loss of horsepower and engine reliability above 21,000
feet. These B-29 raids seriously hindered
Shiden Kai
production by heavily bombing the plants building the fighter.
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Model built and photographed by the author. Used with
permission. |
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