Nakajima J5N
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The Nakajima J5N was an abandoned Japanese prototype fighter aircraft of the
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
era. J5N was developed as twin-engine interceptor for countering attacks by Boeing B-29 Superfortress.


Design and development

During the spring of 1943, the JNAF issued an 18-Shi specification for a single-seat twin-engine
interceptor Interceptor may refer to: Vehicles * Interceptor aircraft (or simply "interceptor"), a type of point defense fighter aircraft designed specifically to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft * Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, a police car * ...
capable of reaching a top speed of 666 km/h (414 mph) at 6,000 m (19,690 ft). Nakajima submitted a proposal based on the earlier
J1N The is a twin-engine aircraft used by the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II and was used for reconnaissance, night fighter, and ''kamikaze'' missions. The first flight took place in May 1941. It was given the Allied reporting name "Irvin ...
1 ''Gekko'' three-seat
night fighter A night fighter (also known as all-weather fighter or all-weather interceptor for a period of time after the Second World War) is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility. Night fighters began to be used i ...
, although this new aircraft – designated J5N1 – was slightly smaller. The layout of the J5N was similar to the J1N: a low set wing on which were mounted the two powerplants, 1,484 kW (1,990 hp) Nakajima Homare 21 18-cylinder air-cooled
radial engine The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is ...
s, with a long
fuselage The fuselage (; from the French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an engine as well, although in some amphibious aircraf ...
ending in a conventional tail arrangement. For maximum utilization of the power from the twin engines, large four-blade propellers were fitted which also featured large spinners (as fitted to the J1N). The main wheels retracted rearwards into the engine
nacelle A nacelle ( ) is a "streamlined body, sized according to what it contains", such as an engine, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. When attached by a pylon entirely outside the airframe, it is sometimes called a pod, in which case it is attached ...
s, and the tailwheel was fixed. The cockpit was set above the wing, and featured a starboard-opening
canopy Canopy may refer to: Plants * Canopy (biology), aboveground portion of plant community or crop (including forests) * Canopy (grape), aboveground portion of grapes Religion and ceremonies * Baldachin or canopy of state, typically placed over an ...
. The nose was streamlined to offer the pilot an excellent forward view during landing, takeoff and taxiing. Armament of the J5N consisted of two 30 mm and two 20 mm cannon, and provision was made for a centreline 250 kg (550 lb) bomb. The J5N was designed to combat the large, heavily armed and fast B-29 Superfortress, and so required such heavy armament in order to do severe damage in the brief windows of time allowed for firing passes. To concentrate the firepower, the four cannons were mounted in the nose of the J5N; if a single-engine fighter were unfortunate enough to find itself in front of a J5N, a single hit from a 30mm shell would have been more than adequate to destroy it.


Operational history

Impressed with the design, the JNAF authorized the development of the J5N1, assigned the name , and six prototypes were requested to be built. Progress was impeded by the failure of the engines to produce their promised power, and by a steady increase in the weight of the airframe as the need to reverse the long-standing policy of giving low priority to armor protection led to a buildup of weight and a drop in performance. The first prototype – lacking its armament – made its first flight July 13, 1944, and was something of a disappointment. The top speed attained was only 597 km/h (371 mph) – far below the specified 666 km/h (414 mph) of the requirement. Despite the other five prototypes also having flown with numerous enhancements, the aircraft never achieved its design speed, and the project was abandoned soon after in February 1945. Four of the six experimental aircraft were lost to accidents.Shigeru 2000, p. 56.


Variants

* J5N1 : Single-seat interceptor fighter aircraft. Six built.


Specifications (J5N1)


See also


References


Notes


Bibliography

* Berliner, Don. ''Surviving Fighter Aircraft of World War Two: Fighters''. London: Pen & Sword Aviation, 2011. . * Francillon, Rene J. ''Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War'' (1st ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. . * Green, William. ''Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters''. London: Macdonald & Co.(Publishers) Ltd., 1961. . * Nohara, Shigeru.''Photo Book Japanese Fighter''(in Japanese). Kojinsha, 2000. . * Townend, David R. ''Thunderbolt & Lightning''. Markham: AeroFile Publications, 2008, .


External links


Nakajima J5N Tenrai
{{Imperial Japanese Navy official aircraft names J05N, Nakajima J05N Abandoned military aircraft projects of Japan Mid-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1944 Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft