Nakajima J1N
| Nakajima J1N Gekkō | |
|---|---|
|
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| Type: | Night fighter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 1941 |
The Nakajima J1N Gekkō ( Japanese 月光 , dt. "Moonlight") was a twin-engine night fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1941. The allied code name was Irving .
development
The first flight took place in May 1941. The Gekkō was a low wing aircraft with two upwards and two downwards 20 mm cannons. The first types still had searchlights, but from version J1N1-Sa from 1943 a radar was installed.
The machines were effectively used against Boeing B-17 bombers in Rabaul , and later also against Consolidated B-24 bombers. The J1N was also used against Boeing B-29 bombers, but with little success. The radar worked well, but the machine had problems performing at high altitudes. A number of them were used as kamikaze planes towards the end of the Second World War .
variants
- J1N1 : prototype.
- J1N1-C : long-range reconnaissance aircraft
- J1n1-C KAI : night fighter
- J1N1-R : renamed to J1N1-F .
- J1N1-S : night fighter
- J1N1-Sa : Night fighter with an additional 20 mm Mk
J1N1-F, reconnaissance aircraft with a 20 mm turret
J1N1-S, night fighter with radar
J1N1-S of the 210th Kokutai with drop tanks
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data (J1N1-S) |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 |
| length | 10.85 m |
| Wingspan | 16.98 m |
| Wing area | 46.0 m² |
| height | 4.56 m |
| Empty mass | 4,840 kg |
| Takeoff mass | normal 7,010 kg maximum 8,184 kg |
| drive | 2 × Nakajima Sakae, each 843 kW (1,130 PS) |
| Top speed | 507 km / h |
| Climb performance | 522 m / min |
| Range | 3,778 km |
| Service ceiling | 9,320 m |
| Armament | 2 up-firing 20 mm MK type 99 2 down-firing 20 mm MK type 99 |
