二次世界大戰資料庫 (WW2DB)

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe J1N twin-engined aircraft was originally designed as a fighter, but somewhere along the development cycle it became a reconnaissance aircraft large enough for a crew of three. Because it retained a fighter-like look, it was mistakenly identified as so by the Allied airmen and was given the code name "Irving". In 1943, some J1N aircraft were converted into night fighters under the direction of Commander Yasuna Kozono of the 251st Kobutai in Rabaul, and these modified aircraft were designated J1N1-C KAI; they shot down two B-17 bombers of the 43rd Bomb Group on 21 May 1943. The initial success of the J1N1-C KAI soon led to a new series, the J1N1-S "Gekko" ("Moonlight"), especially designed as night fighters. Though they lacked good radar and could often only get one pass at American bombers, skilled pilots could cause serious damage. Lieutenant Sachio Endo, for example, scored eight kills against B-29 bombers before he was shot down by another.

ww2dbaseOn 5 Sep 1944, a new use for J1N aircraft was found. Warrant Officer Yoshimasa Nakagawa and Chief Warrant Officer Isamu Osumi used their J1N aircraft to ram a B-24 bomber. Although the B-24 was seriously damaged, the American pilot was eventually able to level off the B-24. The J1N survived, too, providing an example of a successful mid-air ramming. Eventually, J1N pilots developed a method to avoid gunfire from the bombers' turrets while diving toward the rudder. As the J1N's propeller ripped the bomber's rudder, the J1N aircraft should only suffer minor damage and should be in good condition to return to base to receive repairs. Lieutenant Naoshi Kanno was one of the pilots who was able to successfully use this method to destroy a B-24 bomber with a J1N aircraft.

J1N Timeline

SPECIFICATIONS

J1N1-S

Machinery	Two Nakajima Sakae engines rated at 1,130hp each
Armament	4x20mm Type 99 cannon
Crew	2
Span	16.98 m
Length	12.77 m
Height	4.56 m
Wing Area	40.00 m²
Weight, Empty	4,840 kg
Weight, Loaded	7,010 kg
Weight, Maximum	8,184 kg
Speed, Maximum	507 km/h
Speed, Cruising	338 km/h
Rate of Climb	8.70 m/s
Service Ceiling	9,329 m
Range, Normal	3,778 km

Photographs