See One of the Best WWII Fighters, N1K2 Shiden Kai “George”—The Aircraft You Probably Never Heard Of

During World War II, the Japanese introduced several fighter aircraft, but most people only remember the A6M Zero. However, one of the finest designs of the war came much later—the Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai. While it didn’t arrive early enough to change the outcome of the war, its performance and design placed it among the best fighters produced by Japan. Allied forces gave it the code name “George.”

This fighter was a redesign of the earlier N1K1 floatplane. Kawanishi engineers originally developed the N1K1 Kyofu—meaning “Strong Wind”—to operate in forward areas where runways were unavailable. Its float-based design allowed it to land on water. But by the time it entered service in 1943, Japan was no longer advancing across the Pacific. Defensive roles became more important, and the floatplane design no longer suited the demands of the war.

From Floatplane to Land-Based Fighter

Recognizing the need for change, Kawanishi engineers removed the large center float and two wingtip floats from the N1K1. They added retractable landing gear, transforming it into a land-based interceptor. The original engine, a 14-cylinder Mitsubishi Kasei, was replaced with a more powerful 18-cylinder Nakajima Homare engine, which could produce 1,900 horsepower. This change, along with other airframe improvements, boosted the aircraft’s top speed from 304 to 369 miles per hour.

To handle the upgraded engine, the designers added a four-bladed propeller with a nearly 10-foot diameter. This required reworking the landing gear, as the original mid-wing design couldn’t accommodate the propeller size. The wings were lowered, the undercarriage improved, and weight was reduced where possible. These changes allowed the Shiden Kai to keep up with high-performance Allied fighters.

Design and Performance in Combat

The N1K2-J was not just fast—it was also heavily armed. It had four 20mm cannons in the wings and could carry bombs or fuel tanks under the fuselage. What made it special, though, were the automatic combat flaps. These flaps adjusted automatically during maneuvers, giving pilots better control in tight turns. At low altitudes, especially, it could compete with top American aircraft like the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair.

The Shiden Kai was produced quickly because it shared about one-third of its parts with the earlier floatplane. It also had fewer total parts, which made manufacturing easier during a time when Japan’s industrial capacity was under great pressure. Kawanishi undertook the redesign on its own, and the Japanese Navy welcomed the result. The plane entered service in 1944 under the name N1K2-J.

How It Got the Name “George”

To help Allied forces identify Japanese planes more easily, a simple naming system was introduced. All Japanese fighter aircraft were given male names. “George” was chosen for the N1K2-J. Bombers, in contrast, received female names like “Betty” or “Emily.” This system improved communication across different Allied branches, especially since Japan used complex names that combined service branch, type, and year of development. Saying “George” over the radio was far easier than using the full Japanese designation.

The system was created by Captain Frank McCoy with help from Technical Sergeant Francis Williams and Corporal Joseph Grattan. It helped standardize reports and reduced confusion between the U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces, who had different methods early in the war. Like the phonetic alphabet still used today, this naming approach improved clarity, especially over noisy radio transmissions.

Why You Probably Never Heard of It

Although the Shiden Kai was one of Japan’s best fighters, it came too late. By the time it saw combat, Japan’s resources were stretched thin, and air superiority was already slipping away. Most people remember the Zero, which was seen early and often in films and historical footage. But those who flew or faced the Shiden Kai in combat knew it was a serious threat.

With a wingspan of over 39 feet and standing 13 feet tall, the N1K2-J was not a small aircraft. Yet it handled well and carried enough firepower to go head-to-head with the most advanced American fighters of the time. Only limited production and late deployment kept it from having a larger role in the war.