Originally posted by oboe:
There are just so many interesting Japanese aircraft to choose from!
I thought I read somewhere that the J2M Raiden was troublesome and a disappointment, so its production was phased out in favor of the N1K2. Less than 500 were produced.
I still like it though. Personally I think its an intriguing aircraft. It has a very high rate of climb and powerful armament. Since AH doesn't model engine reliability issues, I don't doubt it would be an effective interceptor!
Oboe, it would seem that there might have been over 600 produced. I believe that the 476 number was the total from the Mitsubishi factory.
J2M1 = 8 (9 less proto No.4 for J2M2 development)
J2M2 =131 +/-
J2M3 =307 +/- (Mitsubishi)
J2M3 =128 (Koza KK)
J2M4 = 2
J2M5 = 43
J2M6 = 2
Grand Total= 621 of all models
Source: USSBS Pacific War, Reports Nos.16 & 34
IHTH
Jim Lansdale
Still a small number, however when you factor in that the J2M was used only for home defense of Japan, it surely wasn't meant to be fighting on the front at all.
I would imagine the Japanese didnt consider the US bombing the Home Islands as a possibility at all. J2M might have been phased out in favor of the slower but more manuverable N1K if the B-29 raids didn't start.
The J2M was one of the few (Ki-44 was the other I believe) that was able to reach the height at which the B-29 operated at. So production was reinstated because of the B-29 threat.
I think that the J2M would probably be the only non-perk plane that could effectively bring 4x20mm at 30k+ since the 190s are really medium-low alt planes. Also the insane climbrate of the J2M series (and Ki-44

) would make it ideal for HQ/Resources defense.
I really do love that neat little plane

[ 09-17-2001: Message edited by: -=Silo=- ]