Kawanishi N1K2-J "George"

Kawanishi Aircraft Company · Japan · first flew 1943 · fighter

The Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai (Allied code name George) was one of the best Japanese fighters of World War II, derived from the N1K1 Kyofu floatplane and redesigned as a land-based interceptor with outstanding combat capability.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, elliptical
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Clean fuselage without the central float of its floatplane N1K1 predecessor
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Mid-wing layout with large elliptical wings and a noticeably short, squat undercarriage
Four 20 mm cannon in the wings and a powerful Homare radial giving a broad cowling
Clean fuselage without the central float of its floatplane N1K1 predecessor

Large elliptical-winged single-seat fighter with a mid-wing origin but redesigned as a low-wing aircraft; the broad Homare cowling, four cannon in the wings, and the aircraft's overall size distinguish it from the Zero.

Specifications

The Kawanishi N1K2-J George has a length of 9.346 m (31 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
Its maximum speed is 595 km/h (370 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The N1K1-J Shiden entered service in 1943 as the first land-based version, but its mid-wing placement required long, fragile undercarriage legs. Kawanishi redesigned the aircraft as the N1K2-J with a low-set wing, shorter undercarriage, and simplified structure; the prototype flew in December 1943. Despite late arrival, the George scored impressive results against Allied fighters in the Philippines and Japan's defence, with aces such as Hiroyoshi Nishizawa and Kaneyoshi Muto making the type feared.

Variants

The N1K1-J Shiden Model 11 was the first land-based version; the N1K2-J Shiden-Kai Model 21 was the main production variant; small numbers of the N1K2-Ja with additional cannon and the N1K3-J with a revised engine were also built.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the IJNAS from late 1943 to the war's end; the type is regarded as one of Japan's finest piston fighters. A handful of complete examples survive in US and Japanese museums.

Related aircraft

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