The N1K2-J was a land-based derivative of a floatplane design by Kawanishi, entering service in early 1944 and proving to be one of the best dogfighting aircraft produced by either side. This example was flown by the elite 343 Kōkūtai naval fighter unit and was shipped to the US in November 1945 and assigned evaluation identity FE-306, later T2-306. One of four surviving, it was placed in storage at NAS Norfolk in 1947, going on show at the New England Air Museum in 1974 and moving to Pensacola in 1992

The Shiden or 'George' was unusually developed from a floatplane fighter, the N1K Kyofu or 'Rex'. It was a formidable dogfighting aircraft, despite technical issues that were solved in the N1K2-J Shiden Kai with low-set wing. This is assumed to be c/n 5511, Imperial Japanese Navy tail code 201-53, which was captured in the Philippines in January 1945 and given identification number S7 by TAIU-SWPA at Clark Field. It only flew once as such as the undercarriage collapsed on landing. Note that US insignia are a bit off, with old-fashioned rudder striping serving as a warning to Allied pilots. Photo from: US Navy - National Naval Aviation Museum

The N1K2-J Shiden Kai was a high performance land based interceptor version introduced in December 1944. This aircraft wears the code of the elite 343 Kokutai of the Japanese Navy.

Now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum this combat veteran George (evidenced by a bullet hole in the starboard wing) was delivered in early 1945 and tasked with defending the areas around Hiroshima. It is the most complete and authentic example of the type extant of over 400 produced during WWII.