By James Kightly
At American Aero Services, the restoration of a Japanese Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (Mighty Wind) is about to begin.
The Kyofu, (Allied reporting name ‘Rex’) is unusual for having been developed from scratch as a floatplane fighter for the Imperial Japanese Navy. By the time the type development was complete, the enemy types it was to face were no longer second grade, and no floatplane fighter was able to outperform the lighter, less encumbered land equivalents. Nevertheless, the ‘Rex’ fighter sent to Balikpapan acquitted themselves well.
The Kawanishi team then took design elements pioneered on the ‘Rex’ (such as a laminar flow type wing) and went on to develop the (highly regarded) N1K1-J ‘Shiden-Kai’ land-based fighter, reporting the name ‘George’. Less than 100 floatplane fighters were built, and over 1,400 of the landplane ‘Shiden-Kai’ variants.
This floatplane, known as ‘Rex’ 565, was part of the 951st Kokutai (Air Group) at the tail end of World War Two. Captured, it was one of four that were brought back to the United States for technical evaluation at the end of the Pacific War. Today only two others, still in the USA, survive worldwide. They are 514, stored dismantled at the National Air & Space Museum, Paul Garber Collection, and 562 with the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksberg, TX.
After the evaluation, at NAS Patuxent River, ‘Rex’ 565 remained with the US Navy and was displayed outside at NAS Willow Grove from 1958 until 1999 when it was placed into storage by the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola FL. Now in the hands of American Aero Services, this aircraft will be restored to static display standard. The aircraft appears complete, though tired, and was repainted several times and will certainly benefit from a full twenty-first-century restoration.
Authorized Reproduction by Matt Sharkey of www.floridawarbirds.com/
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
That’s great. Now can someone restore a Betty?
Great to see one of these long forgotten aircraft being restored. I was not even aware that there was an airframe around that would form the basis of a restoration. I never cease to be amazed at what still extists around the world.