Aichi S1A

S1A Denko
Role	Night fighter
Manufacturer	Aichi Kokuki KK
Status	Cancelled
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

The Aichi S1A Denko (Bolt of Light) was a Japanese night fighter, intended to replace the Nakajima J1N1-S Gekkou (Allied code name Irving). It was to be, like the Gekkou, equipped with radar to counter the B-29 air raids over the Japan. Development time increased while trying to overcome design shortcomings, such as the insufficient power of the Navy's requested Nakajima Homare engines, resulting in no aircraft being completed before the war ended.

Design and development

Two prototypes were constructed in 1945, but the project was cancelled after the incomplete prototypes were destroyed during two separate bomb attacks when they are about 70% (1st prototype) and 90% (2nd prototype) complete.

Specifications(S1A1 Denko)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the pacific War

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 49 ft 6.5 in (15.1 m)
• Wingspan: 57 ft 5 in ()
• Height: 15 ft 1.5 in (4.61 m)
• Wing area: 505.902 sq ft (47.0 m²)
• Empty weight: 16,138 lb (7,320 kg)
• Gross weight: 22,443 lb (10,180 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 25,375 lb (11,510 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima NK9K-S , 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) each at take-off
• Propellers: 4-bladed

Performance

• Maximum speed: 360 mph (580 km/h, 318 kn)
• Cruise speed: 273 mph (440 km/h, 240 kn)
• Range: 1,054 mi (1,697 km, 916 nmi)
• Ferry range: 1,553 mi (2,500 km, 1,373 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 39,370 ft (12,000 m)
• Wing loading: 44.4 lb/sq ft (126.6 kg/m²)

Armament

• Guns:
  
• 2× fuselage-mounted forward-firing 30mm Type 5 cannons
• 2× fuselage-mounted forward-firing 20mm Type 99 model 1 cannons
• 2× dorsal turret-mounted 20mm Type 99 model 2 cannons

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Nakajima J1N

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.

External links

• "Aichi S1A Denko". Japanese Aircraft of World War II. http://www.daveswarbirds.com. Retrieved 14 September 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
• Joao Paulo Julião Matsuura (1997). "Aichi S1A Denko (Bolt of Light)". WWII Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation Page. http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/ijnaf.htm. Retrieved 14 September 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)