Kawanashi N1K2-J, 343-19
History
Aircraft 343-19 served with the elite 343 Kōkūtai, a unit renowned for its skilled pilots and advanced aircraft. In early 1945, it was stationed in southern Japan, tasked with defending the Hiroshima area. The aircraft is distinguished by a visible bullet hole in its starboard wing, indicating its active participation in combat.
Following Japan's surrender in 1945, 343-19 was among several aircraft shipped to the United States for evaluation. It was assigned evaluation identity FE-306, later changed to T2-306. The aircraft was placed in storage at NAS Norfolk in 1947 and later displayed at the New England Air Museum in 1974. In 1992, it was transferred to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, where it remains on display today.