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Originally developed as a floatplane fighter for forward-operations support where runways would not be available, the N1K was introduced to service in 1943. However, at that point Japan was no longer on the offensive, depriving the N1K of its intended role. With its heavy floats, it was at a severe disadvantage against contemporary American fighter planes, leading Kawanishi engineers to propose in 1941 to make a land-based fighter based on the N1K.

Originally developed as a floatplane fighter for forward-operations support where runways would not be available, the N1K was introduced to service in 1943. However, at that point Japan was no longer on the offensive, depriving the N1K of its intended role. With its heavy floats, it was at a severe disadvantage against contemporary American fighter planes, leading Kawanishi engineers to propose in 1941 to make a land-based fighter based on the N1K.

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 1,850 hp 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, 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'' suffix indicates a land-based fighter modification, just as a J-prefix indicates a purpose-designed land-based fighter.

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'' suffix indicates a land-based fighter modification, just as a J-prefix indicates a purpose-designed land-based fighter.

The N1K2-J prototype flew on New Year's of 1944 and completed trials from the Imperial Japanese Navy in April 1944. It was subsequently rushed into production as the ''Shiden Kai'' and entered service that same year. In February 1945, a group of N1K2-Js encountered seven Hellcats of the U.S. Navy, downing four with no loss.

The N1K2-J prototype flew on New Year's of 1944 and completed trials from the Imperial Japanese Navy in April 1944. It was subsequently rushed into production as the ''Shiden Kai'' and entered service that same year. In February 1945, a group of N1K2-Js encountered seven Hellcats of the U.S. Navy, downing four with no loss.

The N1K2-J was one of the best dogfighters of World War II, boasting both high speed (greater than 650km/h), incredible agility, and a quartet of 20mm cannons. Its performance as a bomber interceptor, however, was lackluster - it had a poor rate of climb and reduced engine performance at a high altitude. Production difficulties and bombing raids on factories only allowed a mere 415 N1K2-Js to be produced, placing them in the hands of elite units such as the Navy's 343rd Air Group. It was fielded together with [[Saiun (Iridescent Cloud)|Nakajima C6N ''Saiun'']] reconnaissance planes.

The N1K2-J was one of the best dogfighters of World War II, boasting both high speed (greater than 650 km/h), incredible agility, and a quartet of 20 mm cannons. Its performance as a bomber interceptor, however, was lackluster - it had a poor rate of climb and reduced engine performance at a high altitude. Production difficulties and bombing raids on factories only allowed a mere 415 N1K2-Js to be produced, placing them in the hands of elite units such as the Navy's 343rd Air Group. It was fielded together with [[Saiun (Iridescent Cloud)|Nakajima C6N ''Saiun'']] reconnaissance planes.

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 prototypes of the planned N1K3-J series had different engine placement and twin 13.2mm machine guns.

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 prototypes of the planned N1K3-J series had different engine placement and twin 13.2 mm machine guns.

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. Its name, 「''紫電」- '' "''Violet Lightning''", likely refers to the ''[[wikipedia:Pink_lightning_(storm)|pink lightning]]'' phenomenon - a common, more violent, louder, pink or purplish colored storm lightning bolt.

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. Its name, 「''紫電」- '' "''Violet Lightning''", likely refers to the ''[[wikipedia:Pink_lightning_(storm)|pink lightning]]'' phenomenon - a common, more violent, louder, pink or purplish colored storm lightning bolt.

==See Also==

==See Also==

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

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