N1K1

N1K1

A6M2-N

A6M2 mod. 11

N1K1

A6M2-N

A6M2 mod. 11

Japan

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.7	2.3	2.7

Class:

Fighter

Hydroplane

Research:4 600

Purchase:16 000

This page is about the Japanese fighter N1K1. For other uses, see N1K (Family).

Description

The N1K1 Kyofu is a rank II Japanese hydroplane fighter with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB/SB) and 2.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai". The N1K1 can be a great low tier fighter. Even though it's flight characteristics may seem poor at first, there are several ways you can improve them.

General info

Flight Performance

The N1K1 doesn't have great flight characteristics. With an average turn time and rate of climb, it can struggle against other planes at it's BR. However, removing the floats can significantly help it's turn time.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
473	462	10000	19.9	20.6	11.5	11.5	500
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
507	489	10000	18.1	19.0	19.2	14.9	500

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		400	~7	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 430	< 300	< 400	> 324

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,600 m	1,440 hp	1,607 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
5,000 m	1,280 hp	1,428 hp

Survivability and armour

The survivability is to be expected of japanese planes. With non-effective self-sealing fuel tanks, you won't survive a lot of shots, specially if you catch on fire.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The N1K1 is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 navy cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 200 total)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (550 rpg = 1,100 total)

Suspended armament

The N1K1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

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

Usage in battles

If someone is to use this aircraft in battle, he must take advantage of his guns. They can be pretty punchy, so boom-and-zoom attacks would be reccommended. You should avoid turn-fights, specially with british aircraft, though you should be able to outturn some german aircraft.

If you want to go for a more risky approach, you could take of the floats, thus significantly improving your speed, climb rate and turn time.

Manual Engine Control

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

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs	9 in (mod30)
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

The N1K1, though adequate for most situations, can be a pretty difficult aircraft to master. It's poor turn times and climb rates can make you vulnerable at low altitude. The pilot must take advantage of the guns on the aircraft for bomber interception or boom-and-zoom tactics, or take a gamble and remove the floats.

Pros:

• Center float can protect the plane from attacks from below
• You can ram other planes with the float (esp. the wings)
• Can be a great boom-and-zoom aircraft.
• Removing the floats makes you a capable dogfighter.

Cons:

• Poor climb-rate and turn time with floats on.
• Average acceleration and top speed can make you vulnerable.
• Very poor dofighter when floats are "installed".

History

The Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū (強風 "Strong Wind", Allied reporting name "Rex") is an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane fighter. Kawanishi's N1K was originally built as a single pontoon floatplane fighter to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available. It was put into service in 1943.(Credit: Wikipedia)

Media

[1] Guide on how to remove the Kyofu's floats (may not work everytime).

See also

• Type 99 Model 1 (20 mm)

External links

• [2] Wikipidea page for the N1K1

Kawanishi Aircraft Company (川西航空機)
Fighters	J6K1
N1K	N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja
Bombers	H6K4 · H8K2 · H8K3
Hydroplane	N1K1 · E7K2