| Andres Erdos, e-mail, 25.08.2012 23:26 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.
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.
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 49 ft 6.5 in (15.100 m)
Wingspan: 57 ft 5 in (17.50 m)
Height: 15 ft 1.5 in (4.610 m)
Wing area: 505.902 sq ft (46.9998 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 (579 km /h; 313 kn)
Cruise speed: 273 mph (237 kn; 439 km /h)
Range: 1,054 mi (916 nmi; 1,696 km)
Ferry range: 1,553 mi (1,350 nmi; 2,499 km)
Service ceiling: 39,370 ft (12,000 m)
Wing loading: 44.4 lb /sq ft (217 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
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