Kawanishi N1K1, 15th Experimental Seaplane Fighter "Kyoufu", prototype #1

[aizenns 3,590]

Kawanishi Aircraft

N1K1, 15th Experimental Seaplane Fighter "Kyoufu" Prototype #1

十五試水上戦闘機 ｢強風｣ 試作1号機

N1K1 prototype #1

 

History

In September 1940 Navy order to design "No.15 Experimental Seaplane Fighter" to Kawanishi. This is the first plane in a category of "Seaplane Fighter". These category is for battle on Pacific islands that take air superior before construct front line islands.

Design of N1K1 started in September 1940, and first flight of prototype #1 is in May 6, 1942.

N1K1 equip the most high-power engine in that time, "Kasei". This engine cause large torque so first prototype equip Contra-rotating propellers. Also this is the first plane to equip "Automatic Combat Flap"(自動空戦フラップ). At first its side floats planned retractable but it was cancelled.

Contra-rotating propellers of N1K1 is same as Recon Seaplane E15K1 "Shiun". But this mechanism did not adopted for prototype #2 or later.

Spoiler

Reference: E15K1 Shiun (when folding floats)

N1K1 was good plane but it was too late. But after that it re-designed for ground-based interceptor, N1K1-J "Shiden" and it was great success.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good mobility and armament as N1K1 mod.11 in game
• Contra-rotating propeller provide good stability in take-off or landing
• Easy to cap zone in naval battle

Cons

• Floats are bit heavy

 

Specification (mainly based production models)

• Engine: Mitsubishi Kasei model 13 air-cooled double-row 14-cylinder radial engine
• Power
  • 1,420 HP at 2,000 m
  • 1,300 HP at 6,000 m
  • 1,460 HP at take-off thrust
• Propeller: Contra-rotation propeller (2-blades)
• Length: 12.00 m
• Span: 10.589 m
• Height: 4.75 m
• Wing area: 23.5 m
• Own weight: 2,700 kg
• Loading: 800 kg
• Full load weight: 3,500 kg
• Wing loading: 148.9 kg/m2
• Power weight ratio: 2.46 kg/HP
• Max speed: 489 km/h at 5,700 m
• Landing speed: 131 km/h
• Climbing time: 4 min. 11 sec. to 4,000 m
• Armament
  • 2x 20 mm machine gun
  • 2x 7.7 mm machine gun
  • 2x 30 kg bombs

 

Photos

Spoiler

 

Sources

Quote

 

Nozawa Tadashi (1981) "Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft, Vol. 2 (Aichi and Kugisho)", Shuppan-Kyodosha, page 20-21, 141-147, 154

ISBN: ?

https://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/#!/detail/R300000001-I000000905820-00

 

 

Quote

 

Kawasaki Manabu (2011) "Carrier-Based Airplanes and Seaplanes of the Imperial Japanese Navy" Dainippon-Kaiga, page 158-159
ISBN: 978-4-499-23037-7

https://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/#!/detail/R300000001-I000011061687-00

 

 

Quote

 

http://www.nids.mod.go.jp/military_history_search/SoshoView?kanno=095#

JDA Defense Training Center War History Room (1976) "Sensi Sosho Vol.95, General History of Naval Aviation", Asagumo Newspapers

Attached Sheet No.1 "Table of specifications of Naval aircraft" (PDF page 258)

 

 

Edited July 23, 2019 by aizenns

[leroyonly 4,310]

Open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,848]

Another floatplane N1K?  Sure, why not?  +1.

[cfracas 1,708]

+1 for me 

[gennaroita 113]

+1  good to have another one 

[VWGolf4_20v_AGU 132]

+1

[CokeSpray 7,272]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.