Kawanishi N1K1 "Kyofu" 15-Shi Fighter Seaplane (K-20)

[Le Chat]

Hello,

I'm looking for a good drawing of the Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu 1st prototype, with contra-prop. http://s478.photobucket.com/user/mokyme/media/Japanese%20Seaplanes/N1K1_kyofu_prototype_test-W-01.jpg.html

I have a drawing in the FAOW, but it seems to me crude.

I would built it in 1/48th scale from the Tamiya kit and I know that there are some differences comparing to standard models :
- larger spinner
- narrower cord fin
- narrower main float support
- no aerial mast (perhaps ?)
- different shape of cowl gun openings
- overall orange-yellow paint with cowl black and, perhaps, black paint under floats
and I think that's all.

Thank you very much.

Fabrice

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Kyofu. You can measure the size which you need.
Source : FAMOUS AIRPLANES OF THE WORLD No.124 KYOFU,SHIDEN, SHIDENKAI, BUNRINDO CO.,LTD. 5/1/2008,
ISBN978-4-89319-158-8
Japanese text says that the 1st prototype added large fillet at the wing root.(as you can see.)

 

[Le Chat]

Hello,

Thank you very much Blackkite ! I have the oldest FAOW # 53 :

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/shigeko88/album%2027/faowblack531.jpg

So, the drawing shows not small fillet, but pics show large one. It will be more easiest to me to keep these large fillets at wing roots.

I suppose you read japanese. If yes, what colour was painted this 1st prototype ? I think that orange yellow is correct, but I found this built with a grey plane :

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/rexrc_2.htm

Thank you.

Fabrice

 

[blackkite]

Hello,

Thank you very much Blackkite ! I have the oldest FAOW # 53 :

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/shigeko88/album 27/faowblack531.jpg

So, the drawing shows not small fillet, but pics show large one. It will be more easiest to me to keep these large fillets at wing roots.

I suppose you read japanese. If yes, what colour was painted this 1st prototype ? I think that orange yellow is correct, but I found this built with a grey plane :

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/rexrc_2.htm

Thank you.

Fabrice

Hi Le chat! Yes I can read Japanese because I'm a Japanese. Don't ask me about the color. It's my weak point. ;D
http://www9.plala.or.jp/fukugiya/72-064-kyofu.htm
This site says that,
"I thought that I would paint the experimental model of Kyofu yellow orange.
Then, since I heard that the experimental model of Kyofu carried out the first flight before from establishment of painting an experimental model in yellow orange at the time of the first flight, I painted the gray of SDE. "
Another site says that when Kyofu No.1 prototype meiden flight, strong vibration happened due to wing root stall, then lagre fillet added at the wing root immediately.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!
Kyofu at the Natinal Museum of the Pacific war.　Recent Maru magazine reported the detail of this aircraft.

http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/

And other pictures.

 

[Winston]

Looks good indoors protect from the weather.

 

[blackkite]

Looks good indoors protect from the weather.

Yes it is!
Kyofu had a Kasei engine same as Raiden, but Kyofu did not have forced cooling fan.
Kyofu prototype and early production model did not have ram air intake for the engine at the front top of the engine nacelle.
Ram air intake and oil cooler are located in the engine nacelle for low drag, but perhaps this design did not work well. (low horse power and overheat?)
Kyofu late production model had ram air intake for the engine at the front top of the engine nacelle same as Shiden and Shiden-kai.

 

[blackkite]

These drawings are little strange compared with bottom actual Kyofu photo.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ6YIUANJkQ

 

[SlickDriver]

I was over on the J-Aircraft org site and noticed that a member had posted a detailed set of drawing and pictures of a fuel purge system for the A6M2-N floats and was wondering if there was something similar for the N1K1 Kyofu.

 

[Winston]

Looking at FAOTW #53 I can't seem to find any drawing of the float. I think only the A6M2-N had this.

 

[blackkite]

I was over on the J-Aircraft org site and noticed that a member had posted a detailed set of drawing and pictures of a fuel purge system for the A6M2-N floats and was wondering if there was something similar for the N1K1 Kyofu.

Oh what a detailed information! Thanks a lot.
I will check N1K1 Kyofu float design.
Kyofu has shot down B-24(1/16/1944), and caused a damage to B-29(1/2/1945).

 

[windswords]

Here is what I have on the N1K1 prototype:

This matches the photo of the paint scheme used on the prototype

 

[windswords]

So, the drawing shows not small fillet, but pics show large one. It will be more easiest to me to keep these large fillets at wing roots.

I suppose you read japanese. If yes, what colour was painted this 1st prototype ? I think that orange yellow is correct, but I found this built with a grey plane :

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/rexrc_2.htm

Thank you.

Fabrice

I have a pic of a gray N1K1 that says it is the third prototype. If that's correct I would assume that the first two prototypes were the standard orange-yellow color:

 

[Stargazer]

...

 

[blackkite]

Thanks my friends for very rare items.

Japanese wikipedia says that

One Kyofu fighter was rushed into a battle with F6F in Chiba-prefecture Tate Yama in February 16, 1945.
Caused a damage to F6F was reported as a result of the fight competition. This was the only military gain Kyufu mentioned to an enemy fighter.

 

[airman]

There are any information and data about N1K2 proposed large version of Kyofu ?