Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden -kai Type 21(GEORGE)
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343rd Kokutai, 301st Hikotai
Omura AB, Japan, May 1945
The Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū ("Rex") was an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane fighter. The Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden ("Violet Lightning") was the Imperial Japanese Navy land-based version of the N1K. Assigned the Allied codename "George", the N1K-J was considered by both its pilots and opponents to be one of the best land-based fighters flown by the Japanese during World War II. The Shiden Kai possessed heavy armament as well as good manoeuvrability, due to a mercury switch that automatically extended the flaps during turns. These "combat" flaps created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. Unlike the A6M Zero, the Shiden Kai could compete against the best late-war fighters, such as the F6F Hellcat, the F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang. Despite its strong capability, it was produced too late and in insufficient numbers to affect the outcome of the war.
The 343rd Naval Air Group was created in 1944 due to the desperate situation of Japan in the closing stages
