Mitsubishi J2M - Definition and Overview

The Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden" (雷電, "Thunderbolt") was a single-engine, land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The Allied codename was "Jack".

The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero". It was strictly a local-defense interceptor intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids, and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuvrability. The J2M was a sleek but stubby craft with its oversized Mitsubishi Kasei engine buried behing a long cowling, cooled by an intake fan and connected to the propeller with a long extension shaft. Pilot visibility was poor.

A surviving J2M is on display at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, California.

Specifications (J2M5)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 9.95 m (32 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3.94 m (13 ft 0 in)
• Wing area: 20 m² (216 ft²)
• Empty: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)
• Loaded: 3,482 kg (7,676 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Mitsubishi MK4U-A 14-cylinder radial, 1,358 kW (1,820 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 615 km/h (382 mph)
• Range: 555 km (345 miles)
• Service ceiling: m ( ft)
• Rate of climb: 925 m/min (3,030 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 174 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: 0.39 kW/kg (0.24 hp/lb)

Armament

• 2x 20 mm Type 99 cannon in wings

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: J1N - J2M - J3K - J4M - J5N