Kawanishi N1K1

Operational history

The N1K1 entered service in early 1944 and proved highly effective against American fighters.

The Kawanishi were among the few Japanese fighters that could stand up to the best enemy types, including Hellcats
and Corsairs.

In the hands of aces, the Shiden could even outfly its American opponents.

In February 1945, Lieutenant Kinsuke Muto, flying a N1K2-J, faced a dozen U.S. Navy Hellcats in the sky over Japan. He shot down four Hellcats and drove the others away.

However, this account is actually a byproduct of Japan's wartime propaganda.

In reality, Muto's flight of 10 engaged VF-82, shooting down four Hellcats without loss.

They were, however, mechanically unreliable.

The engine was difficult to maintain and, like the complicated undercarriage, plagued by frequent failures.

N1K1-J aircraft were used very effectively over [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and later, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Before production was switched to the improved N1K2-J, 1,007 aircraft were produced, including prototypes.

Problems resulted in very few N1K2-J aircraft being produced, but the Shiden-Kai proved to be one of the best "dogfighters" fielded by either side.

Along with high speed, the fighters were very agile with a roll rate of 82°/sec at 386 km/h (240 mph).

Their weaponry comprising four 20 mm [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in the wings was highly effective.

As a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the N1K2-J was less successful, hampered by a poor [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and reduced engine performance at high altitude.

343 Kokutai

Due to production difficulties and damage caused by [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] raids on Japanese factories, only 415 fighters were produced.

Consequently, N1K2-J fighters were mainly issued to elite units like the IJN 343rd Air Group (343 Kokutai Naval Fighter Group), commanded by [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] that was constituted on 25 December 1944.

The new 343rd Kokutai consisted of the best pilots, including [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], reputed to have single handedly shot down four Hellcats.

The unit was issued the best equipment available and was also equipped with the new [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Saiun, codenamed "Myrt" long-range [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

On 18 March 1945, one of the "Myrts"' managed to spot U.S. carriers en route to Japan.

The following morning, 343 Kokutai's Shidens intercepted 300 American aircraft. Many of the 343 Kokutai Shiden force were N1K2s.

When the Shidens encountered VBF-17 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], three aircraft were lost on both sides in the initial attack; one Hellcat and two Shiden were shot down by enemy ground fire, two fighters collided in mid-air, and one Hellcat crashed while trying to land.

Then the other Shiden dove on the Hellcats, downing another one. In the end, the 407 Hikotai lost six fighters versus downing eight VBF-17 Hellcats.

More serious was the encounter with VBF-10 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], when two of the Corsairs were separated from the main formations, and then attacked by 343rd Shidens.

Four N1K2s were shot down and the Corsairs managed to return to their carrier, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The N1K2s soon got their revenge, when VFM-123 Corsairs were surprised by Shidens, initially mistaken for Hellcats, with a 30-minute aerial combat ensuing.

Three Corsairs were shot down and another five were damaged while three other heavily damaged F4Us which had landed on carriers were subsequently thrown into the sea.

Of the 10 Japanese aircraft the Americans claimed, not one was effectively downed.

Two Shidens however, were shot down at landing by Hellcats of VF-9. Many other Shidens were destroyed by American fighters over another airport, where they tried to land because they were low on fuel.

At the end of the day, 343° declared 52 victories, U.S. fighters 63.

The actual losses were 15 Shidens and 13 pilots, a "Myrt" with its three man crew, and nine other Japanese fighters.

The U.S. also had heavy losses, with 14 fighters and seven pilots, and 11 other attack aircraft.

Five days later, an unofficial award was sent to 343 Kokutai for the valour shown on 19 March.

On 12 April 1945 another fierce battle involved 343°, during Kikusui N.2.

The Japanese scored several victories but suffered 12 losses out of 34 machines. On 4 May, another 24 Shidens were sent in Kikusui N.5.

In every case, the Shiden, especially the Kai version, proved to be a capable dogfighter with the firepower, agility and rugged structure.

The premier unit flying the Shiden, 343 Kokutai remained operational until the overwhelming unit losses led to the eventual retirement of the unit.

The 343° was disbanded on 14 August 1945, when the Emperor ordered surrender.