WOW301 Mitsibushi J2M ‘Jack’

Description

The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was a single-engined land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allied reporting name was “Jack”.

The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the A6M Zero to meet the 14-Shi official specification. It was to be a strictly local-defence interceptor, intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuverability. The J2M was a sleek but stubby craft with its oversized Mitsubishi Kasei engine buried behind a long cowling, cooled by an intake fan and connected to the propeller with an extension shaft.

The first J2M3s appeared in October 1943 but deliveries to combat units did not start until the beginning of February 1944.
The Raiden made its combat debut in June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Several J2Ms operated from Guam and Saipan and a small number of aircraft were deployed to the Philippines. Later some J2Ms were based in Chosen airfields, Genzan (Wonsan), Ranan (Nanam), Funei (Nuren), Rashin (Najin) and Konan under Genzan Ku, for defence of these areas and fighting against Soviet Naval Aviation units.

Primarily designed to defend against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the type was handicapped at high altitude by the lack of a turbocharger. However its four-cannon armament supplied effective firepower and the use of dive and zoom tactics allowed it to down enemy aircraft at a respectable rate.

Our warbird was flown by Lt Yoshihiro Aoki. In December 1944 Aoki was transferred to Kokutai 352 in Japan as leader of unit´s 3. Buntai (Division). The 2 lightnings on the fuselage identify Buntai leader.

This warbird is 1/30 scale

The figures shown are from King & Country and are shown for scale reference purposes only.