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Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Jack)

1942 WORLD WAR 2

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Jack) History

The J2M Raiden (Allied translation "Thunder Clap", codenamed "Jack") was primarily used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a local defense fighter/interceptor. The plane was designed to counter the growing threat of high-flying U.S. bombers - primarily the new Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" used in the Japanese air raids on Japan. The design of the J2M is credited to Jiro Horikoshi, the famous engineer of the legendary A6M "Zero" IJN fighter, who provided the Empire with near-complete air superiority in the early days of the war.

Introduced in December 1942, Raiden fought until 1945 (the last year of World War II), and was finally decommissioned in August with the fall of the Japanese Empire.

The design of the J2M is traditional, with the cockpit in the middle of the short fuselage, a vertical tail at the rear, and the engine pulled up at the front. The wings are circular monoplanes mounted low in front of and below the cockpit seating area, which accommodates one pilot.

The engine is a Mitsubishi-designed, MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder twin-row radial piston engine that produces 1,800 horsepower.

As an interceptor, the J2M is designed with a strong arsenal in mind. This includes 4 x 20mm Type 99-2 cannons in the wings. Fuel tanks can be added to extend range at the expense of weight and power. Regardless, the Raiden provided the pilot with poor visibility, but made up for it with performance, firepower, and rate of climb -- factors that were critical to the success of any interceptor of that era.

Raiden produced approximately 621 aircraft in total, including six variants ranging from the J2M1 to the J2M6.

Initially, the J2M's in-service model was plagued by engine problems that limited the aircraft's range and delayed full production by a year or more. Some J2Ms continued to fight in the Philippine Sea, but most were relegated to homeland defense as the war progressed.

Its use became easier as Americans adapted to night bombing, effectively making the further development of J2M a contentious issue.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1942

Staff:

Production

[621 units]:

Mitsubishi - Japan

Roles

- Intercept

Dimensions

Length:

9.95m

Width:

35.50 ft (10.82 m)

Height:

12.96 ft (3.95 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

2,460 kg

MTOW:

3,945 kg

(difference: +3,274 pt)

Performance

1 x Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder in-line 2 radial piston engine, 1,820 hp.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

370 mph (595 km/h; 321 knots)

Service Limit:

38,386 ft (11,700 m; 7.27 mi)

Maximum range:

656 miles (1,055 km; 570 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

1,170 m/min

Armor

Default:

4 x 20mm 99-2 wing cannons

Optional:

2 x 132 lb (60 kg) conventional bombs or 2 x throwable fuel tanks

Changes

J2M1 - Prototype model designation; equipped with air-cooled 14-cylinder radial piston engine Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13, power 1400 hp; 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns in the fuselage and 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Type II cannons in the wings.

J2M1 Model 11 Similar to J2M1; equipped with a Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder radial piston engine producing 1,820 hp.

J2M3 Model 21 - Equipped with Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a engines; 2 x 20mm Type 99 Type II wing cannons and 2 x 20mm Type 99 Type I wing cannons.

J2M3a Model 21A - equipped with Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a engines; 4 x 20mm Type 99 Type II wing cannons.

J2M4 Model 32 Prototype model; equipped with Mitsubishi MK4R-C Kasei 23c engine, 1820 hp; 2 x 20mm Type 99 Type I cannons at fuselage inclination and 2 x 20mm Type 99 Type 2 cannons at wing.

J2M5 Model 33 - with turbocharged Mitsubishi MK4U-A Kasei26a production engine with 1,820 hp; short range; improved performance model; 2 x 20mm Type 99 cannons in the fuselage and 2 x 99 Type II Cannons on the wings.

J2M5a Type 33a - 4 x 20mm Type 99 Type II wing cannon.

J2M6 Model 31 - Based on J2M3 model; redesigned cockpit and canopy.

J2M6a Model 31A - Based on J2M3a model; redesigned cockpit and canopy; reproduced only.

J2M7 Model 23A - Based on model proposed by J2M3; equipped with Kasei 26a series engines.

J2M7a Model 23A - Based on model proposed by J2M3a; equipped with Kasei 26a series engines.