×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

J1N file photo [2429]

J1N

CountryJapan
ManufacturerNakajima Aircraft Company
Primary RoleNight Fighter

Contributor:

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.

ww2dbaseSources: the Divine Wind, Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Nov 2006

J1N Timeline

9 Jun 1943 21 B-17 bombers attacked Lakunai, Vunakanau, and Rapopo airfields at Rabaul, New Britain with 73,000 pounds of bombs between 0215 and 0520 hours. A J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Chief Flight Officer Satoru Ono, observer Lieutenant (jg) Kisaku Hamano) damaged two of the US bombers.
13 Jun 1943 21 B-17 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain with 87,000 pounds of bombs before dawn; a J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo, observer Lieutenant (jg) Akira Sugawara) shot down B-17 bomber "Georgia Peach" at 0326 hours.
15 Jun 1943 More than 20 B-17 and B-24 bombers attacked Lakunai airfield at Rabaul, New Britain before dawn. A J1N1 nightfighter (pilot Chief Flight Officer Satoru Ono, observer Lieutenant (jg) Kisaku Hamano) shot down one bomber, while two B-24 bombers fired on each other over Rabaul in confusion.
26 Jun 1943 11 B-17 bombers attacked Rabaul, New Britain before dawn. A J1N nightfighter (pilot Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo, observer Warrant Officer Michitaro Ichikawa) shot down B-17F bomber "Taxpayer's Pride" and B-17E bomber "Naughty But Nice", which made Shigetoshi Kudo the first Japanese nightfighter ace.
30 Jun 1943 Senior Flight Petty Officer Shigetoshi Kudo shot down B-17F bomber "Pluto" over Rabaul, New Britain.

SPECIFICATIONS

J1N1-S
MachineryTwo Nakajima Sakae engines rated at 1,130hp each
Armament4x20mm Type 99 cannon
Crew2
Span16.98 m
Length12.77 m
Height4.56 m
Wing Area40.00 m²
Weight, Empty4,840 kg
Weight, Loaded7,010 kg
Weight, Maximum8,184 kg
Speed, Maximum507 km/h
Speed, Cruising338 km/h
Rate of Climb8.70 m/s
Service Ceiling9,329 m
Range, Normal3,778 km

Photographs

J1N1-R aircraft with tail code 700 at an airfield, 1940s, photo 1 of 2J1N1-R aircraft with tail code 700 at an airfield, 1940s, photo 2 of 2
See all 10 photographs of J1N Night Fighter



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
J1N Night Fighter Photo Gallery
J1N1-R aircraft with tail code 700 at an airfield, 1940s, photo 1 of 2J1N1-R aircraft with tail code 700 at an airfield, 1940s, photo 2 of 2
See all 10 photographs of J1N Night Fighter


Famous WW2 Quote
"All that silly talk about the advance of science and such leaves me cold. Give me peace and a retarded science."

Thomas Dodd, late 1945


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!