Kikka

2022-10-27T14:54:48Z

U31184179: Added bug notice regarding booster rockets not being rendered correctly on initial spawn. Players new to the Kikka should be able to see the acknowledgement and workaround in the wiki.

{{Specs-Card
|code=kitsuka
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]].

The Kikka is a fast and versatile fighter-bomber. It starts out with a single 30 mm and you will have to research the 'otsu' mod before you can obtain the second 30 mm. It is important you utilize your speed to your advantage, as that is its biggest advantage against most aircraft it encounters. A good turner at high speed, but at low speed you may find it difficult to turn, as well as to regain your speed. Always maintain an energy advantage over your enemies, so you can quickly engage and disengage your targets. Never try to keep on them unless you know you have the advantage. The Kikka is a small aircraft which has great acceleration and climb, so it shines in vertical energy retention. It is recommended you do not 'head-on' other targets until you have acquired the ''Otsu'' mod. The Kikka is a very durable and well armoured aircraft, so it can take a multiple hits in a head-on.

Regarding its bombing capabilities, equipping a bomb (either 500kg or 800kg, both of which are heavy) makes the Kikka significantly slower and more difficult to control. Speed is a must with the Kikka, and it is recommended you perform high-speed dive bombing to ensure both the destruction of your target and escaping slower pursuers. The speed previously gained in a dive can now be maintained by your unburdened plane. Make sure to use the rocket boosters to take off, or else the aircraft will have significant difficulty taking off with bombs equipped, and you will be unable to retract its landing gear.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 855 || 842 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.7 || 23.5 || 23.1 || 22.3 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 894 || 875 || 21.8 || 22.0 || 29.1 || 26.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 558 || 529 || 380 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 590 || < 590 || < 650 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel, no boosters)
|-
| colspan="2" | Nakajima Ne-20 || 2
| colspan="1" | 2,440 kg || colspan="3" | 228 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load, no boosters) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 470 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 2,654 kg || 2,951 kg || 3,020 kg || 5,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (106%, no booster)
|-
! Condition || 100% || 106%
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 572 kgf || 650 kgf
| 0.49 || 0.44 || 0.43 || 0.26
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 572 kgf (0 km/h) || 650 kgf (0 km/h)
| 0.49 || 0.44 || 0.43 || 0.26
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Booster (Solid-fuel rocket)
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! rowspan="2" | Number || rowspan="2" | Booster weight (each) || rowspan="2" | Fuel weight (each) || rowspan="2" | Burn Time || rowspan="2" | Can be shutdown|| rowspan="2" | Jettisoned after use
! colspan="3" | Mass with full booster fuel (no weapons load)
|-
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 2 || 50 kg || 350 kg || 6s || No || Yes
| 3,454 kg || 3,751 kg || 3,820 kg
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Condition
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Maximum booster thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each booster, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Combined engine & booster thrust @ 0 m|The total thrust produced by all engines and boosters. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100% with booster)
|-
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| colspan="2" | ''Stationary'' || colspan="2" | 816 kgf || colspan="2" | ‭2,932‬ kgf
| 0.85 || 0.78 || 0.77
|-
| colspan="2" | ''Optimal'' || colspan="2" | 816 kgf (any speed) || colspan="2" | ‭2,932‬ kgf (0kph)
| 0.85 || 0.78 || 0.77
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
* 12.7 mm Steel plates in front of front fuel tank
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the rear fuel tank

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

* ''Otsu mod.'' allows the installation of a second 30 mm cannon

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Type 5 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 30 mm Type 5 cannon, nose-mounted (50 rpg)
** 2 x 30 mm Type 5 cannon, nose-mounted (50 rpg = 100 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 (500 kg)|Navy Type Number 80 Model 1 (800 kg)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 1 x 500 kg Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 bomb (500 kg total)
* 1 x 800 kg Navy Type Number 80 Model 1 bomb (800 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Kikka has a good acceleration rate for its BR, as well as climb rate, and low top speed compared to later jets. The pilot is quite heavily protected from the front and rear by both armour, and the fuel tanks are self sealing. The (wing mounted) engines, on the other hand, take damage easily, and minor damage to them will further slow the plane to speeds that some props can match.

Its 30 mm guns have a low rate of fire and low ammo count, but are very powerful and can down fighters with a few solid shots. The stock belt is lacking and it is recommended to research and use the tracer belt (HEF-T). There are no AP rounds, the closest thing being the "practice" shell, merely an unfilled HE shell. Strafing is discouraged as the guns simply arent a threat to anything but open-topped vehicles.
[[File:CockpitImage_Kikka.jpg|thumbnail|right|Inside the cockpit of the Kikka]]

The Kikka should be played as a Boom & Zoomer. It has a great roll rate so it can still catch enemies that attempt to dodge it. Many pursuers can be outrun by going into a slight dive, and rolling to avoid enemy fire. Super props like the P-51H-5NA can catch the Kikka in certain situations, though the Kikka's top maintainable speed is much higher than theirs.

To attempt to gain the upper hand on a Kikka, propeller planes should dive from at least 2,000 m above the Kikka to be able to catch it. If the Kikka goes into a tight turn fight, it will generally bleed its energy, making it an easy target to be defeated by prop planes, which is usually the case when a jet attempt to engage a prop in a turnfight.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Early jet fighter that can frequently see prop aircraft
* Can carry either a heavy 800 kg or a 500 kg bomb
* Can use flaps at high speeds (roughly 550 km/h = 341 mph)
* Good at diving as long as it has enough performance modules
* 30 mm cannons are hard hitters
* Good climb rate and vertical performance
* Great energy retention
* Good roll rate
* Exceptional cockpit visibility to the sides/rear

'''Cons:'''

* Limited ammo, only 50 shells per gun
* Somewhat poor turn rate
* Only one 30 mm gun when stock
* Adding payload will hinder handling significantly due to the planes light weight and small size
* Slow if compared to later jets
* Prop planes will out turn you
* Cockpit visibility to the front is noticeably obstructed, with an extremely crude sight in the form of a stick

== History ==

[[File:FighterImage_The second test flight of the Nakajima Kikka.jpg|thumbnail|right|The second test flight of the Kikka - 11th August 1945.]]
The Nakajima Kikka was Japan's first entirely jet-powered aircraft, based loosely on the information they had received on the German [[Me 262 A-1a|Me 262 Schwalbe]]. Whilst the clear resemblance can be seen, the Japanese were not able to receive all of the information that was provided through a negotiation on 1944 with the German high command over the licencing for plans on both the Me 262, BMW 003 and Junkers Jumo 004 Turbojet engines. Examples and plans were lost with the sinking on a I-29 Submarine that carried the important cargo, however all was not completely lost. Parts of the designs were saved as they were flown in to Japan separate from the Submarine. Upon further inspection of the BMW 003A plans, the Japanese designers found it somewhat similar to their own Ne 12, with the major differences being the German engine used a axial-flow compressor rather than a centrifugal compressor.

The plane is sometimes incorrectly identified in IJN designation as J9N1 or J9Y, but, like all other japanese "special attack" (suicide) planes, it was only given the name of Kitsuka (Kikka is the kanji pronounciation of "中島橘花"). It was also called "Kōkoku Nigō Heiki" (皇国二号兵器, "Imperial Weapon No. 2")

[[File:FighterImage_Naval Technical Arsenal Ne-20, 1945.jpg|thumbnail|left|The Ne 20 engine that powered the Kikka]]

Work began on newer engine designs. but ultimately the Ishikawajima Ne 20 engine was the one selected which was an indigenous Japanese design based on the knowledge of the German engines. The Kikka would be noticeably smaller than the German design, with more straight wings as opposed to the swept back leading edge of the [[Me_262_A-1a|Schwalble]]. Rather than the 4 x 30 mms cannons on the [[Me_262_A-1a|262]], the Kikka would use just one or two Type 5 30 mm cannons. The ever increasing pressure from the B-29 raids ensured that aircraft such as the Kikka were a high priority for the Japanese as interceptor aircraft. However the aircraft would not fly until August 7th 1945, by which time, the Japanese were rapidly running out of time. It would fly again on the 11th August 1945, suffering a crash landing which damaged the aircraft and its engines severely. That would be the last time the aircraft would fly again as just days later, the surrender of Japan was broadcast over the radio, signaling the end of the Kikka development.

{{Clear}}
== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=kitsuka Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|rN1o7IIsrM8|'''Realistic: Kikka [Valuable Lessons]''' - ''Jengar''|hgi1k_ljFYw|'''The Shooting Range #14''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 06:16 discusses the Me 262 and the Kikka.}}

== Bugs ==
As at update 2.21.0.17 (27 Oct. 2022), the booster rockets that are supposed to assist on take-off are not rendered on the in-game model at initial spawn. The player can take-off and retract the landing gear, it animates correctly, but the plane will stop accelerating at around 360km/h until the gear breaks off. The game treats the landing gear as being blocked by the boosters but the invisible boosters cannot be activated or jettisoned.

The workaround for this bug is to 'J' out immediately when a battle starts and respawn. The boosters are then rendered and function correctly. This is also the case for subsequent landings during a battle, the issue only appears on the initial spawn. Gaijin Support have acknowledged this as a bug but at time of writing no date for a fix has been issued.

== See also ==


* [[Me 262 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/414733-nakajima-kikka/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://airpages.ru/eng/jp/j8n.shtml <nowiki>[Aviation of Word War II]</nowiki> J8N Kitsuka]

{{AirManufacturer Nakajima}}
{{Japan jet aircraft}}

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Kikka