Initial operational versions were designated "C6N1" and initial results were quite impressive as the lightweight aircraft could often outpace pursuers sent to greet it - even the fastest American Navy types such as the Grumman F6F "Hellcat". Despite its development as a carrier-capable reconnaissance aircraft, losses for the Japanese by the end of 1944 and beginning of 1945 meant that C6Ns were generally operated from land bases for the remainder of the war.
The "C6N1-1" was proposed as a projected torpedo bomber, retaining its crew of three, but the need for such a flying weapon waned as Japanese losses mounted across Asia and the Pacific. The "C6N1-S" was a dedicated night-fighter (converted from the existing C6N1 stock) which reduced the operating crew to two, included applicable night-fighting equipment, and carried 1 x 30mm Type 5 or 2 x 20mm Type 99-1 automatic cannons in an obliquely-angled mounting (this weapon arrangement allowed the attacker to move under enemy bombers and unleash a lethal shot of cannon fire into the vulnerable belly through the upward-angled guns). However, Japan's radar network reduced the overall effectiveness of this much-needed bomber deterrent and the night-fighter form's value was extremely limited.
At least five other test projects related to the C6N emerged including the "Model 12" with its turbocharged Homare engine and four-bladed propeller unit, two prototypes being completed from the C6N1 stock. The "Saiun Kai 1" was a proposed, twin-cannon-armed high-altitude night-fighter that went nowhere. The "Saiun Kai 2" was to house the Mitsubishi Ha 43-11 Ru turbocharged engine of 2,200 horsepower but only a single prototype was partially completed before the end. The "Saiun Kai 3" was another proposed torpedo bomber form and the "Saiun Kai 4" was to rely heavily on wood in its construction due to resource shortages in the Japanese war effort.
The C6N was never exported and saw retirement as soon as the war ended in 1945. All examples in existence were either test units or operated under the IJN banner across general air groups and some three kamikaze squadrons.
As an interesting aside, and despite the inherent speed of the aircraft, the C6N series has the distinction of becoming the last aircraft to be destroyed in the whole of World War 2 - this unfortunate C6N1 example falling victim to Lieutenant Commander Reidy of the United States Navy on August 15th, 1945.
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