Although Mitsubishi’s Zero is Japan's most recognizable aircraft of World War 2, it was not the fastest or more powerful. That place belongs to a simple floatplane that evolved into Japan’s last hope against the United States: the Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai or George.

The Shiden Kai was superior to the Zero in armament, speed, armor, and, more importantly, maneuverability, making it capable of successfully engaging US Navy Corsairs and Hellcats and emerging victorious.

A unique and creative feature incorporated by the Shiden Kai’s engineers made the aircraft highly mobile and effective in combat, an idea so effective that it could have brought Japan to victory if it had arrived earlier in the war…

---

Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.