Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai Fighter Family
The Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai was the land-based development of Kawanishi’s Japanese Navy fighter line, transformed into a fast and heavily armed interceptor. A test pilot made the first flight on 1 January 1944, and the Navy rushed the fighter into operational squadrons less than four months later; its four 20 mm cannon armament and high-speed performance made Shiden Kai one of Japan’s notable late-war fighters.
Follow this vehicle family
Alerts for directly linked future launches and major activity.
Identity
- Aliases
- Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden KaiN1K2-JShiden KaiViolet Lightning KaiAllied name George
- Family Name
- Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai
- Full Name
- Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai Fighter Family
- Roles
- military
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai was the land-based development of Kawanishi’s Japanese Navy fighter line, transformed into a fast and heavily armed interceptor. A test pilot made the first flight on 1 January 1944, and the Navy rushed the fighter into operational squadrons less than four months later; its four 20 mm cannon armament and high-speed performance made Shiden Kai one of Japan’s notable late-war fighters.
- First Flight Year
- 1,944
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 01:43:13 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 01:43:13 UTC