Mitsubishi J2M5 Raiden "Jack"

[Imowface]

Yes, I know J2M's have been asked for before, and yes I know that the Ki-44 saw more success against B-29s, and yes I know that this probably isn't the biggest priority at the moment, But this is just a presentation of my wish for it to be considered at a later time. First off, this was the IJNAS's First purpose built interceptor, going backwards on former parameters of light weight and maneuverability, this plane focuses on speed and rate of climb, though I am not trying to make it sound "uber" by any means, now the reason why I ask for the 5, is because it is the best all around of the J2M's, it does not have 4 cannon ( a la N1K2) it does not have 6 cannon ( that's a bit much) it has two cannon mounted in the wings, with 200 rpg give or take, guns are not the only reason I chose this variant to ask for, its climb rate is 3000 fpm, 600fpm slower then the J2M3, its maximum speed is 382  mph12 mph faster then the J2M2, and 2 mph faster then the J2M3, but the MK4U-A Kaise26a engine is much better then the others at high altitude (also giving JP a better high alt fighter in Aces high) Its range is 655mi with the option of a 30min reserve tank (so 15 in M/A) Now after reading all that, I'm sure most of you know by now that this wasn't the most ultimate plane Japan ever produced, that spot would be reserved for the Ki-100, but it is a very interesting plane, and was the navy's only ( ? ) interceptor and with the altitudes that buffs fly at in the M/A I think it would see lots of use, especially considering that its not the "cats meow" of the JP air fleet, its eny wont be so low as to make it useless when the numbers get lopsided, I also see this as sort of an in between (not date but performance wise) to the N1K2 and the A6M5) I think that if it is put in the game, it could sort of be an underdog type craft like the 109's, how on there own, they are okay to fly, but when you get a skilled pilot in them  they are quite deadly. Now if you don't hate me for making you read all this, I would like to thank you  all for looking at my wish, and hopefully we can get a good discussion going on about it



(also, please no "I would rather have the Ki-43, or the Ki-44" type posts as I stated, I know this is not a priority and I want the other JP planes just as bad as the rest of you  )

[Pigslilspaz]

+1 all for expanding Jp's planeset, but need more bombers imho

[Plazus]

Wikipedia is a bad source, but I pulled this out just for a quick search:

J2M5 - 43 aircraft built

J2M5 Model 33
High altitude version powered by 1,357 kW (1,820 hp) Mitsubishi MK4U-A Kasei 26a engine with mecaically driven supercharger, giving increased speed at height at the expense of shorter range (just over half that of the J2M2 and J2M3). Two 20 mm Type 99 cannon in fuselage, two 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon in wings.[4]


J2M5a Model 33A
Four wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon. Now, all four wing cannon were harmonized in trajectory and ballistics performance like the Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden fighters, but with more ammunition than they had (200 v. 70-125 rpg). The 20x101 mm cartridge gave the 128 g HE (6-8%) projectile an effective range of 1,000 m (3,280 ft) and a muzzle velocity of 750 m/s. The rate of fire was only 500 rpm each however (down from 520 rpm for the Type 99 Model I which only had a muzzle velocity of 600 m/s and a range of 730 m/2,400 ft with its 20x72 mm cartridge).

I am going to assume it had a 4 cannon armament.

I you want a J2M variant I suggest adding the J2M3, as it was the most produced variant and likely have seen the most combat in squadron strength. (300+ built)

[AceHavok]

+1 I really want a larger collection of Japanese planes. 

[Imowface]

Checked my book, I read the wrong range numbers, and I havnt read anywhere about a 4 cannon 'M5, may you please state your source? nvm I just noticed you said you pulled it from wiki, the range of the 5 was 345mi ( reserve tank included)

[Plazus]

Look at the chart at bottom of this site:
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/japan/aircraft/fighter/mitsubishi-j2m-raiden-jack.asp

Unreliable source, but numbers appear consistent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_J2M

Another source with some consistency:
http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Mitsubishi%20J2M%20Raiden.htm

J2M5

The J2M5 Raiden Model 33 version retained the airframe of the J2M4, but was powered by a MK4U-4 Kasei 26a engine with a mechanically-driven three-stage supercharger. It had actually preceded the J2M4, having first flown in May of 1944. This installation proved to be more reliable than the turbo supercharger used by the J2M4. The J2M5 could reach a speed of 382 mph at 22,310 feet, and was the fastest version of the Raiden series. In addition, it had a wider and roomier cockpit which offered the pilot a better view. The appearance of the B-29 over Japan had created a sudden, urgent need for more capable interceptors, and the J2M5 was immediately ordered into production as the Model 33 at the Koza Kaigun Kokusho (Koza Naval Air Arsenal). However, shortages in supplies of Kasei 26a engines delayed the production of the J2M5, and only 34 examples were built before the war ended.

The J2M5a Model 33A was a proposal for a version with four 20-mm Type 99 Model cannon and a domed cockpit canopy. The end of the war prevented this version from ever being built.

Specification of J2M5 Raiden Model 33
 

Powerplant: One Mitsubishi MK4U-4 Kasei 26a 14-cylinder radial air-cooled engine rated at 1820 hp for takeoff, with military rating of 1510 hp at 9185 feet, 1400 hp at 22,310 feet, and 1310 hp at 23,925 feet.
 

Performance: Maximum speed 382 mph at 22,310 feet. Normal cruising speed 230 mph. Normal range 783 miles. An altitude of 19,685 feet could be reached in 6 minutes 20 seconds. Service ceiling 36,910 feet.
 

Fuel Capacity: 85 Imp gall in wing tanks, 26 Imp gall in fuselage tanks.

Weights: 5534 pounds empty, 7646 pounds normal loaded.

Dimensions: Wingspan 35 feet 5 1/4 inches, length 32 feet 7 17/32 inches, height 12 feet 11 1/4 inches, wing area 215.82 square feet.

Armament: Two 20-mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon and two 20-mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon with 200 rpg. Underwing loads of two 66-lb or two 132-lb bombs could be carried. Alternatively, one 44-Imp gall drop tank could be carried on the centreline.

I am no historian and I have no books in my possesion that I can refer to and confirm the accuracy. Just did some quick internet searches. These three sites seem to have consistent numbers, so there is a likely possibility that the J2M5 had 4 20mm cannons, two in the wings, and two in the fuselage.

And again, because the J2M3 was the most produced, that variant is a better candidate for inclusion of the game, as it would have seen more service in squadron strength.

[Imowface]

Big apologies, i have misread my source, my book was talking about the J2M5 as an improvement of the J2M4 prototypes, and what it meant by "only two guns in the wings" was only two instead of 4, but still retaining the cowl guns, I would still like to see the 5 in though, for its good high alt performance

[Tupac]

Yes prease. Give us our pranes.

[HighTone]

+1 I really want a larger collection of Japanese planes. 

Same here....big 

[Wildcat1]

+1 i have wanted this plane for a long time

[Karnak]

As I recall, the American's who test flew it thought it was an excellent aircraft.

[Imowface]

correct Karnak, in my book it states that they spoke in "glowing termes of its performance and handling, and the undeniable truth about this, and other  aircraft like the Ki-84, and N1K2, is if they were ever made with the quality of materials, and flown with the quality of fuel that the american planes had, and maybe introduced a bit sooner, the war would have undoubtidly gone on for longer, who knows, if that was the case then enola gay may have even been shot down by J2M's en rout, as far as LW JP planes to be added, I think this should smack dab on the top of the list, as for ew planes, I have a few in mind, but do not desire to hijack my own thread

[EDO43]

I believe the J2M3 Raiden is the version to get.  IIRC, the J2M3 was the most produced model of the series...

[Imowface]

Either way, It would be nice to get any version of it, was a truly great plane and was never given the opportunity to shine in real life, so I think this would be a great game for it to spread its wings and show people how capable this plane really was.

[Imowface]

Also, sorry for the double post, but here is a youtube video I found of some J2M3's  taking off and stuff, thought I would share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OKbP3xfwTQ&feature=related