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Mitsubishi J2M1 (十四試局地戦闘機)
The Mitsubishi J2M1 is a Japanese prototype interceptor that first flew in 1942. Three prototypes were built, which did not meet the requirements of the navy.
History
In 1939, the Japanese Navy announced a competition for a new interceptor fighter to defend against enemy fighters. The requirements of the Navy were quite unusual, and they were as follows: The plane was to reach at least 600 km/h at an altitude of 6000 m, the altitude of 6000 meters was to be reached in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, the maximum altitude was at least 11000 meters, it was to be able to operate at an altitude of 6000 m for at least an hour, it was to be armed with two 20 mm cannons and two machine guns, also the plane was to have an armored pilot’s seat. Nothing was mentioned about the maneuverability of the aircraft, which was an unusual thing when the Japanese Navy issued requirements. In response to these requirements, Mitsubishi formed a design team with Jiro Horikoshi as the chief designer of the new fighter. However, work on a new fighter aircraft did not begin until July 1940, due to the involvement of engineers in other projects. On December 26, 1940, aerodynamic tests on a wooden mock-up began, which were completed in February 1941. Until December 1941, the preparation of technical drawings and everything that was needed for production continued. The first prototype J2M1 was ready on February 28, 1942. According to calculations, the J2M1 aircraft did not fully meet the requirements of the navy, because it was supposed to reach a speed of 598 km/h, but the navy allowed the plane to be tested anyway. In May 1942, during naval tests, the J2M1 aircraft reached a maximum speed of only 574 km/h, in addition, there were problems with vibrations and the aircraft had poor visibility from the cockpit. Shortly after the prototype J2M1 fighter, a prototype version of the J2M2 was created, which, although it did not meet the speed requirements, had better visibility from the cockpit and partially solved the problem of vibrations. This led to the abandonment of the J2M1 after building three prototypes and focusing efforts on the prototype J2M2, which later went into production as the J2M2 model 11.
Art about the Mitsubishi J2M1
Technical description
The Mitsubishi J2M1 is similar to the J2M2 model 11 fighter, but there are a few differences between them.
- Instead of the Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a engine with 1,379 kW (1,850 hp), the Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 engine with 1,044 kW (1,400 hp) is installed
- The cockpit is smaller and provides poorer visibility
- Type 99 Model 2 Pipes are installed instead of Type 99 Model 1 Pipes
- There are only 120 rounds for the cannons (60 per cannon)
- Instead of a four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3,300mm, there is a three-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3,200mm
Technical sketches
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9,9 m
- Wingspan: 10,79 m
- Height: 3,82 m
- Wing area: 20,05 m2
- Empty weight: 2191 kg
- Gross weight: 3000 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 13 (Ha-32-13), air-cooled two-star, fourteen-cylinder engine with take-off power of 1,074 kW (1,460 hp)
- Propellers: Three-bladed fixed speed propeller with a diameter of 3,200 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 574 km/h
- Cruising speed: 426 km/h
- Range: 1422 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 11000 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 6,27 min to 6000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 99 model 1 20mm cannon in wing (60 rounds per cannon)
- 2 x Type 97 7.7mm machine gun in the nose (550 rounds per rifle)
- Bombs
- 2 x 30 kg bombs
- 2 × 60 kg bombs
Armour
- 8 mm thick armor plate behind the cockpit
- Self-sealing fuel tanks (?)
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Mitsubishi J2M1 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft will be a good introduction to the J2M fighter family, although it is quite poorly armed, its advantage is the speed and speed of climb. It would also make a good Premium vehicle or event. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
雷電 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi J2M - Wikipedia
Micubiši J2M1 14-Ši : Micubiši
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt)
WildEagles: Mitsubishi J2M “Raiden” (Jack) #2 J2M1 prototypes
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden - fighter
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) ‘Jack’
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Jack): Photos, History, Specification
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden - SAMOLOTY.PL - wszystko o lataniu
J2M variants
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 48
- La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 287-288
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots