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Produced as a private venture by Kawanishi with the more powerful 1,850hp Nakajima ''NK9A'' ''Homare'' ''11'' engine replacing the Mitsubishi ''MK4C Kasei 13'' engine, the prototype N1K fighter flew in December 1942. It still carried the mid-mounted wing of the original floatplane design, which with its large propeller, required a long, stalky landing gear. It had a unique set of automatic combat flaps that were acceleration-sensitive, reducing the likelihood of a stall in combat. However, it was susceptible to entering an unrecoverable spin if handled roughly, making it extremely dangerous for inexperienced pilots.

Produced as a private venture by Kawanishi with the more powerful 1,850hp Nakajima ''NK9A'' ''Homare'' ''11'' engine replacing the Mitsubishi ''MK4C Kasei 13'' engine, the prototype N1K fighter flew in December 1942. It still carried the mid-mounted wing of the original floatplane design, which with its large propeller, required a long, stalky landing gear. It had a unique set of automatic combat flaps that were acceleration-sensitive, reducing the likelihood of a stall in combat. However, it was susceptible to entering an unrecoverable spin if handled roughly, making it extremely dangerous for inexperienced pilots.

The NK9 engine, although powerful, was unrefined due to its rush to production. Aside from the problematic engine, poor heat-treatment of the wheels could cause the landing gear to break off when the fighter attempted to land. It was reported that more N1Ks were lost by landing-gear failures than to Allied forces. Despite these problems, the Kawanishi fighter was deemed promising and subsequently evaluated by the Navy. As it was faster than the [[Type 52 Zero Fighter|Mitsubishi A6M5]] (Zero-fighter Model 52) in service at the time and had an even longer range than the Mitsubishi J2M ''Raiden'' interceptor, the prototypes were ordered into production as the '''''N1K1-J'''''. The ''J'' indicates a land-based fighter modification.

The NK9 engine, although powerful, was unrefined due to its rush to production. Aside from the problematic engine, poor heat-treatment of the wheels could cause the landing gear to break off when the fighter attempted to land. It was reported that more N1Ks were lost by landing-gear failures than to Allied forces. Despite these problems, the Kawanishi fighter was deemed promising and subsequently evaluated by the Navy. As it was faster than the [[Type 52 Zero Fighter|Mitsubishi A6M5]] (Zero-fighter Model 52) in service at the time, had an even longer range than the Mitsubishi J2M ''Raiden'' interceptor and the ''17-shi'' project (the [[Reppuu (Strong Gale)|Mitsubishi A7M ''Reppū'']]) was facing trouble, the prototypes were ordered into production as the '''''N1K1-J'''''. The ''J'' indicates a land-based fighter modification.

The N1K1 entered service in early 1944 and proved highly effective against American fighters, being the only one of its contemporaries that could match its enemies - F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs - and even outperform them with the guidance of an ace pilot. Rare for a Japanese fighter was the N1K's resilience, a significant upgrade from the fragile Zero-fighters. Although formidable, the N1K1-Js were still unreliable - both the troublesome NK9 engine and complicated undercarriage frequently failed. Altogether, 1,007 N1K1-Js were produced, including prototypes.

The N1K1 entered service in early 1944 and proved highly effective against American fighters, being the only one of its contemporaries that could match its enemies - F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs - and even outperform them with the guidance of an ace pilot. Rare for a Japanese fighter was the N1K's resilience, a significant upgrade from the fragile Zero-fighters. Although formidable, the N1K1-Js were still unreliable - both the troublesome NK9 engine and complicated undercarriage frequently failed. Altogether, 1,007 N1K1-Js were produced, including prototypes.

Regardless of the Kawanishi fighters' excellence in firepower, agility and resilience, they were produced too late and in too few numbers to change the favor of the war. It did, however spawn several variants, both prototypes and production, such as the N1K2-Ja Model 21A (a fighter-bomber). The N1K3-J prototypes had different engine placement and twin 13.2mm machine guns, while the N1K3-A ''Shiden Kai Ni Model 41'' as seen in Kancolle, was a project designed to be a carrier-based version of the aforementioned N1K3-J. No prototypes of the N1K3-A were ever built.

Regardless of the Kawanishi fighters' excellence in firepower, agility and resilience, they were produced too late and in too few numbers to change the favor of the war. It did, however spawn several variants, both prototypes and production, such as the N1K2-Ja Model 21A (a fighter-bomber). The N1K3-J prototypes had different engine placement and twin 13.2mm machine guns, while the N1K3-A ''Shiden Kai Ni Model 41'' as seen in Kancolle, was a project designed to be a carrier-based version of the aforementioned N1K3-J. No prototypes of the N1K3-A were ever built.

==See Also==

==See Also==

[[wikipedia:Kawanishi_N1K|Kawanishi N1K3-A]]

[[wikipedia:Kawanishi_N1K|Kawanishi N1K3-A]]

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