One museum, two locations
Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.
Visit
National Air and Space Museum in DC
Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
Plan a field trip
Plan a group visit
At the museum and online
Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually.
What's On
Events
Exhibitions
IMAX and Planetarium
Dive deep into air and space
Browse our collections, stories, research, and on demand content.
Explore
Stories
Topics
Collections
On demand
For researchers
For teachers and parents
Bring the Air and Space Museum to your learners, wherever you are.
Learn
Programs
Learning resources
Plan a field trip
Educator professional development
Education monthly theme
Be the spark
Your support will help fund exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts.
Give
Become a member
Wall of Honor
Ways to give
Host an Event
Engine, Nakajima Homare 21 (NK9H, Ha45-21), 2-Row, Radial 18
The Homare (Honor) was Japan’s most-used engine in the latter years of World War II. Fan cooling, fuel injection, turbo-supercharging and water-methanol injection differed in various versions. All models suffered from unreliability, service difficulty (particularly when first entering service), and vibration.
The artifact powered the carrier based Nakajima C6N-1 Saiun (Painted Cloud) (Allied Code Name MYRT) single engine reconnaissance aircraft, which is in the museum’s collection, and is the only remaining example of this aircraft. This particular NK9H (Ha45-21) engine model also powered the Nakajima J5N1 Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder) (Allied Code Name IRVING) twin-engine experimental fighter, which was never produced, and the Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden (Violet Lightning) (Allied Code Name GEORGE), probably the best naval fighter produced by the Japanese. Both of these aircraft are also in the museum’s collection. The latter aircraft was first produced as a floatplane, but was later land based to counter the U.S. Grumman F6F Hellcat and Vought F4U Corsair.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
Circa World War II
Country of Origin
Japan
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2-rows, radial, air cooled
Power rating: 1,491 kW (2,000 hp) at 3,000 rpm
Displacement: 35.9 L (2,195 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 130 mm (5.1 in.) x 150 mm (5.9 in.)
Weight: 830 kg (1,830 lb.)
Dimensions
Length 224.8 cm (88.5 in.), Width 152.4 cm (60 in.), Height 165.1 cm (65 in.)
Materials
Aluminum
Steel
Magnesium Alloy
Paint
Copper Alloy
Plastic
Leather
Natural Fabric
Inventory Number
A19600337003
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
Stay up to date on the latest stories and events with our newsletter
Privacy
Terms of Use