J1N1

J1N1

Ki-102 otsu

J1N1

Ki-102 otsu

Japan

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.0	2.0	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Interceptor

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

Description

The J1N1, a prototype in the J1N series, was initially designed in 1938 to fulfill the Japanese Navy Air Service's need for an extended-range escort fighter for bombers. This was essential because navy fighter squadrons at the time lacked the necessary navigation and communication capabilities for lengthy land-based bomber sorties. However, due to slow development, testing could only be conducted in 1941, by which time the A6M had already proven itself as a very capable long-range fighter, capable of escorting bombers with its impressive range. The J1N1 struggled with its maneuverability, only barely meeting the speed and cruising range requirements, and the two dual remote turrets it was equipped with were prone to reliability issues. Despite these drawbacks, the J1N1 did impress the Navy with its range, leading to its redesignation as the Type 2 Land Reconnaissance Plane (J1N1-C / later J1N1-R), intended to replace older land-based reconnaissance aircraft. Later variants of the J1N were up-armed with obliquely mounted 20 mm cannons specifically for shooting down bombers. This led to the development of the night-fighter variant, which entered service as the Gekkō (J1N1-S)*. The J1N also served as the template for the J5N Tenrai.

This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters". The J1N1 prototype offers a unique experience as a long-range twin-engine escort fighter with some uncommon features and later-year equipment for its relatively low tier and BR. To address the naturally limited manoeuvrability of a twin-engine aircraft, it is equipped with wing edge-leading slats and automatic flaps, which help maximize its agility. The aircraft's defensive armament includes four 7.7 mm guns mounted in two dual remote turrets with favourable angles, along with a Type 99 Model 2 (20 mm) cannon, a rare feature at this tier until later A6M5 models. The J1N1 should initially be used to hunt bombers to maximise its damage output. You can engage these targets with the forward armament or by positioning the aircraft in front and beneath the enemy bomber to utilize the gunner's firepower. After securing altitude advantage, the aircraft can transition to a Boom-and-Zoom strategy, diving on lower altitude targets with the remaining ammo in the forward armament.

Nicknames

• Official Designation (J1N1-S)*: 月光 (Gekkō, "Moonlight")
• Allied reporting name: Irving

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 5 000 m522 km/h

Turn time25 s

Max altitude10 000 m

Engine2 х Nakajima Sakae 21

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight6 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	502	487	10000	26.0	26.7	6.8	6.8	500
Upgraded	543	522		24.1	25.0	13.0	9.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
712.5	350	432	409	290	~9	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 360	< 320	< 450	> 335

Survivability and armour

Crew3 people

Speed of destruction

Structural713 km/h

Gear350 km/h

• 8.5 mm Steel plate behind the Pilot.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB331 → 423

RB712 → 910

SB943 → 1 206

Total cost of modifications6 900

6 760

Talisman cost530

Crew training3 000

Experts10 000

Aces125

Research Aces160 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

20 / 60 / 120 %

112 / 112 / 112 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 460 Cost: 450 85 Radiator Research: 460 Cost: 450 85 Compressor Research: 520 Cost: 510 95 Wings repair Research: 430 Cost: 420 80 Engine Research: 430 Cost: 420 80 Engine injection Research: 560 Cost: 550 105	Airframe Research: 520 Cost: 510 95 Cover Research: 560 Cost: 550 105	type89_belt_pack Research: 460 Cost: 450 85 type97_new_gun Research: 520 Cost: 510 95 type97_turret_belt_pack Research: 430 Cost: 420 80 type99mk2_belt_pack Research: 430 Cost: 420 80 type97_turret_new_gun Research: 560 Cost: 550 105 type99mk2_new_gun Research: 560 Cost: 550 105

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 120 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon

Ammunition60 rounds

Fire rate490 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun

Ammunition1 200 rounds

Fire rate900 shots/min

The J1N1 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
• 2 х 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun, nose-mounted (600 rpg = 1200 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)

Setup 12 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb

The J1N1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)

Defensive armament

2 х Turret2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun

Ammunition1500 rounds

Fire rate900 shots/min

The J1N1 is defended by:

• 4 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun (750 rpg = 3,000 total)

Usage in battles

Unlike most Japanese aircraft, the J1N1 can take quite a lot of punishment. As a twin-engine fighter/interceptor/attacker, it has the ability to remain in operation even flying on only one engine and with partial wing missing. While there is no real protection for its fuel tanks, it is less likely to catch fire when compared to other Japanese aircraft at its battle rating. If playing Realistic Battles, it is battle rating is slightly higher than arcade, but its forte is really in arcade battles at its battle rating. Its bomb load is relegated to smaller bomb sizes, but at the battle rating, it is enough to take out a few ground targets. The autocannons and machine guns on the aircraft are sufficient to perform strafing runs on lightly armoured vehicles.

The J1N1 flying low in AB can be a real distraction for the enemy team, keeping them away from the objectives of destroying ground targets. None of its weapons cannons is very powerful and its ammo count is quite low, but in arcade battles that is not much of a problem with in-flight reloadable ammunition when you run out. For quite a large aircraft, it is very manoeuvrable, and the "ace up its sleeve" is the rear-facing turrets, each with two 7.7 mm machine guns and unlike other fighters and bombers at its battle rating, the rear gunners are enclosed within the aircraft and not exposed to stray bullets. Enemy fighters on the tail of a J1N1 often find they suffer critical damage or are shot down while the offensive guns are trained on oncoming aircraft or ground targets. The playstyle is neither "Boom & Zoom" nor "Turn & Burn", but rather to fly low and drag the enemy onto the tail of the J1N1. In arcade battle, enemies will sometimes try to ram the J1N1, in an attempt to knock off a wing, but it will continue to fly, often losing only the wingtip.

This aircraft is less useful in realistic and simulator battles mainly due to its low ammo count, but the characteristic play style mentioned before could prove almost as rewarding and it can take quite a bit of punishment before being destroyed.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Quadruple 7.7 mm defensive guns in a dangerous tight array
• Fairly good speed
• 8.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat
• Good manoeuvrability
• Two engine design for extra survivability

Cons:

• Beaten in turn fights by some aircraft
• Limited ammunition for all weapons
• Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
• A single gunner man all four guns. When hit, all four weapons stop working
• Slightly-lacking climb rate for up-tiers.
• Offensive 7.7 mm struggle to down aircraft effectively

History

The Nakajima J1N1 Gekko (Moonlight), nicknamed the "Irving" by allied pilots was a 3 crew twin-engine fighter.

First developed the replace the A5M series as escorts for the Japanese bombers of the day (G3M). The main requirement for the aircraft was manoeuvrability and distance. It met the requirements on paper; however, due to the addition of rear-facing guns, the performance of the aircraft was hindered, as such the J1N's role of an escort fighter was scrapped.

Equipped with two "Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21" 14cylinder radial engine's producing 1,130 horsepower each. It had a maximum range of 3,780 km (2,350 mi) if stripped of all weapons. This made it ideal for reconnaissance and was used for recon. During the beginning of the war with the Allies, the J1N was perfect for its reconnaissance role; however, when the war started favouring night attacks, the J1N was no longer equipped to serve its role.

Japanese Commander Yasuna Kozono noticed the plane could not serve as a nighttime recon, he equipped two upwards firing 20 mm Type 99 cannons. Upon the new variants first sortie it downed two American bombers by flying under them and firing on the unsuspecting bomber crew. This success was immediately noticed by the Japanese Military and ordered Nakajima (the developers of the plane) to produce night fighting variants.

At first, the J1N night fighters were equipped with a spotlight on the nose, but when the Japanese developed a radar it saw extreme success. The American Military did not think the Japanese were capable of building a night fighter, leading to the destruction of many B-17's.

The J1N would have many variants designed for intercepting bombers and would be seen throughout the war. With the Allies use of the B-29 at the end of the war, the J1N could no longer out the Ally bombers. The J1N's success slowly started to fade, but some extremely skilful pilots such as Sachio Endo were still capable of downing many B-29's despite their plane being vastly outdated in 1945.

479 J1Ns were built, with only 1 surviving the war. The surviving aircraft can be found at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, in Virginia USA.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the J1N1 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance

Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Navy
Land-based Fighter
J1N	J1N1
J5N	J5N1
Army
Ki-45	Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
Ki-83	Ki-83
Ki-96	Ki-96
Ki-102	Ki-102 otsu
Ki-108	Ki-108 Kai
Ki-109	Ki-109