Historical Background
In 1940, the Japanese Navy decided that it needed a fighter aircraft capable of supporting amphibious operations in isolated areas deemed not important enough to warrant the attention of land- or carrier-based aviation. Two projects were initiated: Nakajima were to produce a floatplane version of Mitsubishi's A6M (as an interim measure, and known as A6M2-N) and Kawanishi to produce a new design, the N1K Kyofu (Allied codename 'Rex'). Powered by a 1,460hp Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei radial engine, it was a success (although the bulky floats degraded the performance). However, due to over-reliance on the Zero and a slow procurement schemer, by the time the first production aircraft appeared in the Spring of 1943, the Japanese were on the defensive and there was no longer need for such an aircraft and only 100 were built.
At the same time however, Kawanishi had been working on the land-based version of the Kyofu and was pursued as a private venture. First flown on 27 December 1942 (just 8 months after the original floatplane), it retains the mid-mounted wing of the Kyofu. Coupled with the large diameter propeller, it resulted in a long, stalky landing gear. The powerplant was replaced with a Nakajima NK9A Homare radial engine. It was found that the new aircraft was faster than the A6M and also has a longer range than the J2M Raiden. On the debit side it was noted that the aircraft had a somehow weak undercarriage and the engine proved troublesome. The Navy was impressed nonetheless and ordered the aircraft as N1K1-J
Shiden (Violet Lightning). The aircraft was armed with two 7.7mm machine guns in the nose (later deleted) and four 20mm cannons (two in underwing gondolas). 1,007 N1K1-Js were produced (including prototypes).
Just four days after the first flight of the N1K1-J, a complete redesign program was begun. The main focus of the program were centred on the weak undercarriage and the mid-mounted wing position. The wing was moved to a low position allowing a shorter, more conventional landing gear to be used. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail redesigned. The whole aircraft was made more simple, using less than two-thirds of the N1K1's parts. The end result was 250 kg lighter and more faster and more maneuverable than the N1K1. Lack of alternatives however forced the retention of the temperamental Homare engine. The prototype first flew on 1 January 1944 and was rushed into production as the N1K2-J Shiden Model 21. It was also known Shiden-KAI (Improved Shiden). Only 423 were built due to production difficulties, compounded by damage to the factory due to B-29 raids. The original Shiden was introduced into combat during the invasion of the Marianas in June 1944.
The Shiden and Shiden-KAI (codenamed 'George' by the Allies) proved highly effective against American Hellcats and Corsairs, giving an even chance to IJN pilots. In the hands of aces, it could even outfly its American adversaries. While formidable, the Shidens were demanding of its' pilots and limited in quantity. They were therefore mainly issued to elite fighter units such as the 343rd Kokutai commanded by Minoru Genda, the architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 343rd was a 'squadron of experts' (as it was mainly staffed by surviving IJN aces) and fought against overwhelming odds until final surrender on 15 August 1945. On one occasion in February 1945, ten N1K2s led by Lt. Kaneyoshi Muto clashed with seven F6F Hellcats of VF-82. The Shidens managed to down four Hellcats and no cost to themselves.
The Kit
In 1993, Hasegawa released a new-tool 1/48 N1K1, replacing the earlier (but still nice, even though it has raised panel lines) ex-Mania kit dating from the 1980s. . Featuring fine recessed and raised details, including countersunk rivets, it was met with rave reviews for being virtually flawless and basically having no need for aftermarket products. In 2000, the molds were retooled to produce the N1K2, initially in its 'Early Version' form. The 'Late Production' version, also released in 2000, is virtually the same with the original release save for parts that make up the late version. As with the original N1K1, the panel lines are very crisp, the cockpit is well-detailed and there is option for lowered flaps. Decals were provided for two options, both from the 343rd Kokutai (and as with many other Japanese aircraft, they are rather bland).
Construction
As usual, I started with the cockpit. Hasegawa specified that the cockpit is to be painted a mixture of Gunze Nakajima Green and Mitsubishi Green. I did not have those colours and painted them Tamiya XF-71 IJN Interior Green, even though technically it wasn't accurate. Detail parts were painted XF-3 Flat Yellow, Gunze 8 Silver, XF-1 Flat Black and XF-7 Flat Red. The instrument panel part was painted Flat Black before the laying the decal for instrument panel face. The cockpit assembly was then trapped between the fuselage halves. The reviews don't lie as the fit was perfect! The engine assembly was next and I painted the parts first before assembly. The sprue scar was then touched up and the engine was then weathered (maybe shouldn't bother with the cylinders as they were partially hidden from view by the reduction gear).
The horizontal tailplanes were then glued to the fuselage. This was followed by the wing assembly, which consisted of a one-piece lower wing, upper wing surfaces and the wheel wells. I then cut off a notch from the bottom part of the tail and at the wingtips and replaced it with clear parts. Hasegawa also gave an option for retracted or deployed combat flaps. While I think the flaps, as the name implies, are only deployed during combat maneuverings, I can't help but deploy them in the extended position as it was more visually appealing. The gun barrels were left off as they look very fragile (they are) and might broke during the painting process.
Shiden-Kais were only painted in two colours : Green uppers and silver/natural metal bottoms. The bottom colour was painted using Tamiya TS-30 Silver Leaf. For the upper camo colour, Hasegawa's instructions have you mix two shades of Gunze Sangyo paints to create what is called Kawanishi Green. I did not have the required paints so I just paint the green portion using Tamiya XF-11 J.N Green. The wing leading edge ID strip was painted using a mix of Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow and XF-7 Flat Red. The landing gears were painted silver using Gunze 8 whilst Gunze H77 Tyre Black was used to paint the tyres. The prop blades were painted XF-64 Red Brown.
For markings, Hasegawa provided just two options, both from the 343rd Kokutai. The first was from the 701st Hikotai, flown by Squadron Leader Takashi Oshibuchi, April 1945 and the second, a Shiden-Kai of the 407 Kokutai, flown by a Squadron Leader Hayashi, also in April 1945. Apart from individual aircraft numbers, the two options were distinguished by different fuselage marking bands: the first option in red and the second in white. I chose the second option as the white fuselage bands were more visible on a dark green background (and this rather violated my policy of 'have markings of a more famous pilot'). The decals were typically Hasegawa but like the
Hayate, the white portions are really white unlike their earlier releases. They also responded well to decal setting solutions.
Finishing
I started by enhancing the panel lines using a thin mixture of enamel red brown and black and the excess was removed using a piece of cloth dampened with enamel thinner and wiped in the direction of the air flow. Paint chips were adding by dabbing silver paint, using torn sponge pieces onto the leading edge of the flying surfaces and on the boarding side (left) of the wing. More chipping was also done by painting silver paint onto areas adjacent to panel lines. The more fragile parts can now be attached to the fuselage. The gun barrels, as mentioned before, were however quite fragile: I got nervous during the clean-up and as a result, some stubs still remain on the gun barrels; one of the barrels broke. I decided to replace all barrels with plastic rods. The muzzles were removed from the kit barrels and re-attached to the plastic rods. They still look unsatisfactory but was sight better than bent barrels with traces of sprue runner still visible.
Conclusion
It was a joy to build this kit. Everything fits perfectly and the details are very good. The price might be a bit high but it was well worth it.
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