Japan's Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (thunderbolt) fighter
Allied code name: Jack
Photos
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, "Jack", fighter: |
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, "Jack", fighter: |
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Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden, "Jack", fighter: |
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Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, "Jack", fighter: |
Design
In 1939 a requirement was given and the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was designed for it by Jiro Hirikoshi.1,5 Development started in October 1938, but was delayed a year while Mitsubishi concentrated on the A6M Zero.2,4
The J2M was to be a land based fighter for the Imperial Japanese Navy.2 It was to have more speed and climb than maneuverability as previous designs.2,4 Many felt it was the best of the land based Navy fighters produced by Japan during World War II.3
Engine
There were issues with the early engines and they were replaced by the Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a (1,800 HP) which had water injection to temporarily increase speeds when needed.4 However, the water injection has problems of its own.4
Tail Wheel Problems
In 1943 there were two accidents with J2M2s that was caused by the mechanism that retracted the tail wheel had been installed incorrectly.4 The mechanism, in a dive, would block the controls.4
Fighting B-29s
To help the J2M fight the B-29 bombers at altitude two upward firing 20 mm guns were installed.1
Prototype
There were 14 prototypes completed by February 1942.3,4
The J2M1 prototype first flew on March 20, 1942.1,2,5 It took so long because there were issues with the cooling system for the engine and the laminar flow wing.2,4 Issues with the mechanism that retracted the landing gear also cropped up during testing.4 There was also the fact that the A6M Zero had priority as well.2,4
Pilots found that it was hard to see out of the cockpit.1,4
Production
The J2M2's production started in late 1942.2 The J2M3's production started in March 1943.2
Volume production didn't start until September 1943 as there were issues with the engines and visibility problems.3,4
The J2M5 first flew in May 1944.2
- Mitsubishi J2M1: 32
- Mitsubishi J2M2: 1552,4
- Production: ? - March 19444
- Mitsubishi J2M3: 2602
- Mitsubishi J2M3a: 212
- Mitsubishi J2M4: 22
- Mitsubishi J2M5: 341,2,5
- Some manufactured by Koza Naval Air Arsenal.2
- Mitsubishi J2M6: 12
- Total: 4703, 4761,2,4,5
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi2, Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.4
Variants
- Mitsubishi J2M1: Prototype.1,2 Used Kasei 13 engine (1,430 HP).2
- Mitsubishi J2M2: Production.1
- Mitsubishi J2M2 Model 11: Production.2 Had water-methanol injected Kasei 23a engine.2
- Mitsubishi J2M3: Stronger wing.1,4,5 Had four 20 mm guns.1,4,5
- Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21: Had four 20 mm guns.2
- Mitsubishi J2M4: Had turbocharger.1,5
- Mitsubishi J2M4 Model 32: Used turbocharged Kasei 23c engine (1,820 HP).2
- Mitsubishi J2M5: Had a Mitsubishi Kasei 26a radial engine (1,820 HP).1,5
- Mitsubishi J2M5 Model 33: Used Kasei 26a with three-stage supercharger.2
Usage
Primarily used in home island defense.2 Since the J2M Raiden could climb fast and had a deadly punch it was used against the B-29s.3 Though the J2M couldn't reach the operational heights of the B-29.5
Some were deployed in the Philippines in late 1944.2
First Kokutai
The 381st Kokutai received the first J2Ms in late 1943.1,5
Specifications
| Mitsubishi J2M Raiden2 | Mitsubishi J2M1 Raiden2 | Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden1,2,4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter2 | Fighter1,4,5 | |
| Crew | 12 | 11,4,5 | |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi MK4A-R Kasei 23a2 | Kasei Model 233 Mitsubishi Kasei 23a piston1,5 Mitsubishi MK4A-R Kasei 23a2,4 |
|
| Cylinders | Radial 142 | Radial1,5, Radial 142,4 | |
| Cooling | Air4 | ||
| Net HP | 1,8002 | 1,5753, 1,8001,2,4,5 | |
| Propeller blades | 42 | 42 | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 35' 5.25"2 10.8 m2 |
35' 5.25"2 10.8 m2 |
35' 5"4, 35' 5.2"5, 35' 5.25"1,2 10.8 m1,2,5 |
| Length | 31' 9.75"2 9.69 m2 |
32' 7"4, 32' 7.5"1,2, 32' 7.7"5 9.94 m2, 9.95 m1,5 |
|
| Height | 12' 8.5"2 3.87 m2 |
12' 11"4, 12' 11.25"2, 12' 11.5"1,5 3.94 m2, 3.95 m1,5 |
|
| Wing area | 215.82 ft2 1,5 20.05 m2 1,5 |
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| Weight | |||
| Empty | 5,176 lb2 2,348 kg2 |
5,423 lb1,2,5 2,460 kg1,2,5 |
|
| Loaded | 7,077 lb2 3,210 kg2 |
7,573 lb1,2,4,5 3,435 kg1,2,5 |
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| Performance | |||
| Speed | 610 kph3 | ||
| Speed @ 17,388' / 5,300 m |
365 mph5 588 kph5 |
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| Speed @ 17,390' / 5,300 m |
365 mph1,4 588 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 17,880' / 5,550 m |
363 mph2 584 kph2 |
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| Cruising Speed | 219 mph2 352 kph2 |
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| Climb | 3,838'/minute2 1,170 m/minute2 |
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| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
5.6 minutes2, 5' 50"3 | ||
| Climb to 32,808' / 10,000 m |
19.5 minutes5 | ||
| Climb to 32,810' / 10,000 m |
19.5 minutes1 | ||
| Service ceiling | 38,385'1,2,4, 38,386'5 11,700 m1,2,5 |
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| Range | 575 miles1,5, 655 - 1,180 miles2, 1,180 miles4 925 km1,5, 1,054 - 1,900 km2 |
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| Armament | 4: 20 mm4 | ||
| Wings | 2: 20 mm2 | 4: 20 mm2,3 4: 20 mm Type 991,5 |
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| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm MG2 | ||
| Upward firing | 2: 20 mm1 2: 20 mm Type 995 |
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| Bombs | 264 lb4 | ||
| Bombs under wings | 2: 132 lb2 2: 60 kg2 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II, Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa, 1989
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
