Kawanishi J6K Jinpu (Squall)

Kawanishi J6K Jinpu (Squall) Story

Faced with the need for a new, faster, high-altitude ground-based interceptor to counter the growing number of Allied bombers in and around Japan during World War II, the Japanese Navy raised the need for such an aircraft . Kawanishi developed two competitors, the N1K2 and J3K, both of which were launched on the market in 1942. However, the N1K2 proved to be the better aircraft and work on the J3K1 was eventually abandoned.

As the war against Japan raged on, Nakajima revived the J3K1 design, this time with a new engine, and further developed it into the "J6K1" - naming it "Jinpu".

The purpose of the J6K was not merely a proposal as an experimental high-altitude interceptor, as Japan's deteriorating war effort ultimately doomed any further development of the type

Overall, the J6K1 is a conventionally built, no-frills wartime aircraft. It uses a Nakajima NK9A0 (HA45-42) non-turbocharged (with forced cooling) radial piston engine with a three-speed supercharger driving a four-bladed propeller unit in the nose. The cockpit is a single seat, usually behind the engine. The monoplane is intended for use with a single vertical tail and low-level horizontal aircraft.

Engineers estimate a top speed in the 425 mph range, with excellent range (about 5.5 hours of battery life) only with an internal fuel and load weight of 9,635 pounds.

The original proposed form carried 4 x 20mm Type 99-2 cannons and 2 x 13.2mm Type 3 heavy machine guns (HMG). The second proposed form carries 2 x 30mm Type 5 cannons and 2 x 13.2mm Type 3 HMGs. Further revisions of the armament (from 1944) included a full set of 6 x 20mm guns.

The design was intended to move away from the earlier 99 series guns in favor of the newer 20mm 18 Shi-1 Gata gun series - a combination that provided a higher rate of fire and a higher muzzle velocity (the gun had never been known before the war) to mass production).

Based on blueprints produced in 1943, IJN authorities reviewed a full-scale model in February 1944. A further review took place in June of that year, when the groundwork for the actual prototype was laid and some changes were made as a result (modified rudder, cockpit armor).

Mid-August 1944 The project was canceled in mid-August 1944 due to Kawanishi's over-investment in the successful N1K2 product line - considered by many observers to be one of the best Japanese fighters of the war, and a second model was in the works. processing.

Kawanishi engineers remain optimistic about the J6K1 - believe it will be a high-performance interceptor with great handling, solid maneuverability, strong armament and a healthy rate of climb that can be absorbed with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Heavy bombs are comparable to those from the Americans.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes