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The unlikely offspring of a Japanese floatplane fighter, the Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai, Allied codename “George,” was built as a private venture. Initially spurned by the Japanese navy for its unofficial status, the Shiden (Violet Lightning) eventually became the best Japanese naval fighter of World War II.
In 1942, Kawanishi flew the prototype of a new floatplane fighter aircraft that, despite the handicap of large central and wingtip floats, proved to be almost as maneuverable and fast as the excellent Mitsubishi Zero. At the same time as the floatplane model was being developed, engineers at Kawanishi began work on a land-based version without government approval.
The new fighter differed little from its floatplane progenitor. A new, more powerful engine necessitated a long, ungainly landing gear to ensure that the nose was elevated enough for the large propeller to clear the ground. Another improvement was the addition of flaps that automatically deployed to reduce the chance of a stall during demanding combat maneuvers. This new, modified aircraft was designated the N1K1-J Shiden. Unfortunately, the engine was unreliable and the landing gear was weak. By 1943, however, the Japanese needed a fighter to counter the American Hellcats and Corsairs. Therefore, despite its shortcomings, the once-reluctant Japanese navy accepted the new Shiden fighter.
As the N1K1 entered production, engineers worked to correct its flaws. No alternative engine was available, but to correct the landing gear, the wing was lowered from its original midfuselage position, allowing installation of a normal length landing gear strut. A longer fuselage and redesigned tail improved stability problems. The new aircraft was designated the N1K2-J Shiden Kai (modified).
The Shiden Kai soon proved to be a worthy opponent of the newer American fighters. Its use as a B–29 interceptor, however, was less successful due to poor high-altitude performance. Several variants were produced, such as this N1K2-Ja fighter-bomber model. Despite being an excellent fighter, the Shiden Kai appeared too late and in too small a quantity to affect the outcome of the war.
The instrument panel of the Shiden Kai was laid out with flying and engine instruments on the main panel. Oxygen and fuel gauges are on the left panel. One feature that stood out in Japanese aircraft is the use of wood in cockpit controls. Such usage of wood, especially late in the war when raw materials were scarce, served to illustrate the desperate condition of Japanese aircraft manufacturers. The tops of several levers, the trim wheel and the throttle handle, with its distinctive notched thumb rest, were all constructed of wood.
SHIDEN ON DISPLAY AT THE UDVAR-HAZY CENTER.
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