The Kawanishi J6K1 Jinpu, developed as a land-based interceptor, appeared in paper form during 1943 but was destined to never enter serial production during World War 2.
With the need for a new faster-flying, high-altitude land-based interceptor to combat the growing presence of Allied bombers in and around Japanese territories during World War 2, the Japanese Navy drew up a requirement for such an aircraft. Kawanishi developed a pair of contenders in the N1K2 and the J3K - both appearing in 1942. However, the N1K2 proved itself the better aircraft and work on the J3K1 was eventually abandoned. As the war progressed against Japan's favor, Nakajima resurrected the J3K1 design once more, this time with a new engine, and evolved it as the "J6K1" - given the name of "Jinpu".
The J6K was never to achieve anything more than being a high-altitude experimental interceptor proposal as the worsening war effort for Japan ultimately doomed any further progress on the type
By and large, the J6K1 was a conventionally-arranged, no-frills aircraft of the wartime period. It was to fit a Nakajima NK9A0 (HA45-42) non-turbocharged radial piston engine (with forced cooling) and three-speed mechanical supercharger in the nose driving a four-bladed propeller unit. The cockpit was of single-seat design and set behind the engine in the typical way. Monoplane wings were to be used along with a single vertical tail fin and low-set horizontal planes. Engineers estimated a maximum speed in the 425 mile per hour range with exceptional range (around 5.5 hours endurance time) on internal fuel alone and a loaded weight of 9,635lb.
From blueprints readied in 1943, a full-scale mockup was reviewed by IJN authorities during February of 1944. Another review took place in June of that year as the groundwork for an actual prototype was being laid and some changes were instituted as a result (revised rudder, cockpit armoring). A second mockup was underway when the project was cancelled in mid-August 1944 as Kawanishi became overly committed to the successful N1K2 line - regarded by many observers as one of the best Japanese fighters of the war.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
✓Interception
Ability to intercept inbound aerial threats by way of high-performance, typically speed and rate-of-climb.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
Length
32.8 ft (10.00 m)
Width/Span
41.0 ft (12.50 m)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Kawanishi J6K1 production variant)
Installed:
1 x Mitsubishi MK9A "Homare 42" radial piston engine of unknown output.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Kawanishi J6K1 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
PROPOSED #1:
4 x 20mm Type 99-2 cannons
2 x 13.2mm Type 3 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs)
PROPOSED #2:
2 x 30mm Type 5 cannons
2 x 13.2mm Type 3 HMGs
PROPOSED #3:
6 x 20mm 18-Shi 1-Gata cannons in wings (three per wing).
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
J6K1 "Jinpu" - Base Series Designation; project entered mockup stage before cancellation.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Imperial Japan (cancelled)
