| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 5128 |
| Military Code: | A-343-19 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden Kai |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden Kai |
| Aircraft Version: | Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai |
| C/n (msn): | |
| Operator Titles: | Japan - Navy |
| Local Operator Name: | 海上自衛隊 |
| Unit Markings: | 343 Kokutai |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Pensacola - NAS / Forrest Sherman FieldMap |
| Region / Country: | Florida, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KNPA IATA: NPA Local: NPA Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of Naval Aviation |
| Photo Date: | 13 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 767074 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
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 This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 11 January 2025, and has since been viewed 100 times. |