Kawanishi N1K2 – Billeder & Video

Fotogalleri af en Kawanishi N1K2-J, The Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū (強風 “strong wind”, Allied reporting name “Rex”) was an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane fighter. The Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden (紫電 “Violet Lightning”) was an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service land-based version of the N1K. Assigned the Allied codename “George”, the N1K-J was considered by both its pilots and opponents to be one of the finest land-based fighters flown by the Japanese during World War II. The Shiden Kai possessed heavy armament as well as surprisingly good manoeuvrability, due to a mercury switch that automatically extended the flaps during turns. These “combat” flaps created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. Unlike the A6M Zero, the Shiden Kai could compete against the best late-war fighters, such as the F6F Hellcat, the F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang.

Varianter: N1K2-J Prototypes: N1K1-Jb redesigned. Low wings, engine cover and landing gear modified. New fuselage and tail, 8 built. N1K2-J Shiden KAI Model 21: Navy Land Based Interceptor, first model of series with a Nakajima Homare 21 engine. N1K2-Ja Shiden KAI Model 21A: Fighter-bomber version. Four 250 kg bombs. N1K2-K Shiden Kai Rensen 1, Model A: Fighter Trainer, modified from N1K-J Series with two seats, operative or factory conversions.

Kilde: Kawanishi N1K2-J på Wiki

Den Kawanishi N1K2 var et japansk jagerfly, der blev taget i brug i de sidste faser af Anden Verdenskrig. Det var en forbedret version af N1K1, som var designet som et flydefly, men senere konverteret til et landbaseret jagerfly. N1K2 havde en mere strømlinet skrog, en lavere vingeposition og en redesignet hale. Disse ændringer forbedrede flyets aerodynamik, håndtering og hastighed, hvilket gjorde det til et af de bedste krigere i Stillehavsområdet.
Den N1K2 var bevæbnet med fire 20 mm kanoner og kunne bære to 250 kg bomber eller otte 60 kg raketter. Det var også udstyret med en selvforseglende brændstoftank og rustningsbeskyttelse til piloten. N1K2 fik tilnavnet "George" af de allierede, der betragtede den som en formidabel modstander. På grund af produktionsvanskeligheder og mangel på materialer og faglærte arbejdere blev der imidlertid kun bygget omkring 400 N1K2'er før Japans overgivelse i august 1945.