MAQUETTE À MONTER - Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Jack) Type21 Hasegawa | N° 09145 | 1:48

Characteristics

Description

From the beginning of hostilities in China in 1937, the Japanese Navy had been the target of surprise, low-level bombing attacks by Chinese air forces. Feeling the need for a high-speed, quick-climbing interceptor to combat such raids, work began on what was to eventually become the Raiden (Thunderbolt) in 1938. Shown top priority work on the A6M Zero, Jiro Horikoshi's team at Mitsubishi eventually chose to employ the powerful 14-cylinder Mitsubishi Kasei 13 radial engine in the new plane despite concerns about its large size and high fuel consumption. To combat the big powerplant's drag, it was decided to mount it deep within a long, tapered cowling, connecting the propeller via an extension shaft and incorporating a cooling fan. The first prototype aircraft finally took place in March of 1942, but problems with the engine and its cooling system, poor pilot visibility and sub-optimum performance led to numerous modifications. These included replacement of the engine and extension shaft system with the more-powerful Kasei 23a, resulting in a shorter nose and improved visibility. Satisfied, the Navy ordered production of the Raiden Model 11 (J2M2) beginning in September 1943. Work also quickly began on the Model 21 (J2M3), which boosted armament from the two 7.7mm machine guns in the fuselage and two wing-mounted 20mm cannon of the Model 11 to four wing-mounted cannon, dropping the MGs completely. This was by far the most-produced model of the plane. Other minor variants included the turbo-supercharged Model 32 (J2M4) and larger-cockpit, supercharged Model 33 (J2M5). Total production of all Raiden variants totaled approximately 500 aircraft by war's end. In service, the Raiden -- code-named Jack by the Allies -- proved a fine aircraft in the preferred bomber-destroyer of IJN pilots later in the war, where it frequently faced incoming U.S. B-29s with some success. Nevertheless, confusion over its role in the Navy -- many advocated the faster Shiden in the interceptor role -- and persistent technical and other production problems slowed its impact on the outcome of the conflict was limited. DATA: Crew: 1; Wingspan: 10.795m; Length: 9.70m; Height: 3.81m; Max Gross Weight: 3,300kg; Wing Area: 20.05m2; Engine: Mitsubishi Kasei 23 Ko (1,820hp takeoff power); Max Speed: 596 km/h; Armament: 20mm cannon x 4

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