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  J1N1-C Kai Irving Manufacture Number 644  
IJN
251 Kōkūtai

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Jusin Taylan 2003

Aircraft History
Built by Nakajima during late February 1943 (estimated). Uncoded serial number 44. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 2 Land Based Reconnaissance Aircraft Gekko / J1N1-C Irving manufacture number 644.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 251 Kokutai (251 Air Group) at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Tail number unknown, likely V-? (single digit). During 1943 in accordance with a suggestion from Commander Yasuna Kozono field modified with 20mm cannons mounted upward and downward for use as a night fighter and strafing attacks.

Between June 30, 1943 until October 12, 1943 a detachment of Irvings were based at Ballale Airfield flying as night fighters and for strafing missions.

During this period, this Irving was likely damaged then abandoned in a dump area on Ballale Island. Afterwards, the Irving sustained additional damage from nearby bomb blasts that caused the fuselage skin to ripple and holes from shrapnel.

Wreckage
The rear fuselage only from this aircraft remains in situ on Ballale Island. The rest of the aircraft was likely destroyed by bombing or has disappeared.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 27 (middle right & lower) The caption lists the manufacture number 664 [sic 644]. In fact, Charles Darby noted Irving to be manufacture number 644.
Thanks to Charles Darby and Jim Long for additional information

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Last Updated
December 5, 2024

 

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