Following delays in the design and development of the Kawanishi N1K1 floatplane fighter, Nakajima designed the A6M2-N (Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber) as a single-seat floatplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11. The Allied reporting name for the aircraft was “Rufe.”

The A6M2-N was based on the A6M-2 Model 11 fuselage, with a modified tail and added floats. It’s main purpose was to support amphibious operations before a land base could be established, and defend remote bases. A total of 327 were built, including the original prototype.

The prototype flew on December 7, 1941. No problems were encountered and it immediately entered production, with the first examples being allocated to combat units in early May 1942. The A6M2-N was pressed immediately into the Solomons and Aleutian campaigns. In the Solomons, the airplane proved to be far more of a problem for Allied fighter pilots than its somewhat-ungainly appearance suggested, since it was only slightly less maneuverable than the land-based Zero; its primary difficulty was its relatively low top speed of around 270mph and lower climb rate compared with the land-based Zero.

The first A6M2-Ns were assigned to the Yokohama Kokutai at Rabaul, arriving in early June 1942. This small detachment was further dispersed to Tulagi where they were to provide cover for construction of an airfield on neighboring Guadalcanal. Several were destroyed on the water during the American landings in August. Later, a detachment operated from nearby Rekata Bay and the A6M2-Ns often tangled with Wildcats over Henderson Field.

A second unit was assigned to the Toko Kokutai, operating in the Aleutian Islands. This detachment was deployed to Kiska island. During the “Kiska Blitz” they opposed bombing raids on every day that the weather allowed. The unit first engaged in combat on August 4, 1942, intercepting B-24s over Kiska. They had occasional success against American fighters. Following the recapture of Attu and Kiska, the 452 Kokutai also operated A6M2-Ns from Paramushiro in the Kurile Islands, attempting defend these remote northern islands from American attacks. The A6M2-N also saw service aboard he Japanese raiders Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru in Indian Ocean raids.

Rufes shot down B-17s and B-24s in both the Solomons and Aleutians, and were successful against the F4F-4 Wildcat, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk and P-38 Lightning if these fighters attempted to engage the Rufe at speeds under 250mph, as was the case with the land-based Zero. In 1944, the Otsu Air Group flew the A6M2-N as an interceptor alongside the Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu, based on Lake Biwa on Honshu.