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Mitsubishi J2M2 with 30 mm Type 2 cannons (三菱J2M2と30mm二型機関砲)
The Mitsubishi J2M2 with 30 mm Type 2 cannons is a Japanese low-production interceptor fighter that was developed in 1944. Only a few modified J2M2s with Type 2 cannons were produced, probably 5, which were likely used exclusively by the 302nd Naval Aviation Squadron.
History
At the beginning of 1944, the Japanese knew that the Americans were preparing for bombing raids from China on Japan using the new B-29 bombers. The Japanese Navy command realized that the new American bombers would pose a significant problem in intercepting them, based on experiences from battles with the B-17 and B-24 bombers. The Japanese Navy had introduced new J2M2 interceptors into production, but they had similar firepower to the A6M3 fighters, which struggled in combat against bombers. The Navy command decided to address the issue of insufficient firepower in two ways. The first was to use four Type 99 cannons instead of two (thus creating the J2M3). The second solution was to install Type 2 cannons in the wings instead of Type 99 cannons. The Type 2 30mm cannons were introduced into limited production in mid-1943. The Type 2 cannons were tested in 1943 on Mitsubishi A6M3 fighters. Earlier it was believed that the A6M fighters had too delicate a construction to withstand prolonged use of the Type 2 guns; however, the Mitsubishi J2M2 had a stronger structure. The Type 2 cannon had confirmed effectiveness in destroying large aerial targets, so that was a big plus. The modification of the J2M2 aircraft itself was not difficult, and the first J2M2 aircraft with Type 2 cannons went for testing in May 1944. The tests showed that the aircraft met the requirements, and the Japanese modified several J2M2 fighters that went to the 302nd Naval Aviation Squadron. The 302nd Naval Aviation Squadron was a Japanese aviation squadron responsible for the defense of Tokyo, which later became known for having a large number of intercepting fighters arranged in a Schräge Musik configuration. The first confirmed combat use of the J2M2 with Type 2 cannons occurred on December 3, 1944, when Mikami Hiso from the 302nd Squadron attacked a B-29 bomber. The attack on the B-29 took place from below and in front of the B-29, resulting in the bomber disintegrating upon impact. However, the J2M2 Mikami Hiso was hit in the engine and made an emergency landing in Tokyo Bay. The next certain use of J2M2 fighters with Type 2 cannons was on May 29, 1945. At that time, in an attempt to intercept 500 B-29 bombers escorted by 100 P-51s from the 302nd Squadron, 5 A6M fighters and 3 J2M fighters, which included a J2M2 with Type 2 cannons piloted by Shoji Kuroda, took off. In the Sagami Bay area, the A6M fighters, which had overtaken the J2M fighters, began to engage the escorting P-51 fighters. Three J2M fighters moved to assist their comrades, and when Shiji Kuroda tried to attack one of the P-51 fighters, he discovered that the Type 2 cannons on his fighter had jammed. This caused his J2M2 with Type 2 cannons to be shot down, and Shiji escaped by parachute. Likely until the end of the war, the 302nd Squadron used J2M2 fighters with Type 2 cannons, almost all of which were presumably lost in combat. No photos of J2M2 with Type 2 plots have been preserved.
Technical description
The Mitsubishi J2M2 with Type 2 cannons is almost identical to the regular Mitsubishi J2M2, the only difference being the replacement of the Type 99 20mm cannons in the wings with Type 2 30mm cannons.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9,69 m
- Wingspan: 10,79 m
- Height: 3,81 m
- Wing area: 20,05 m2
- Empty weight: 2 348 kg
- Gross weight: 3 210 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a (Ha-32-23a) air-cooled, twin-star, fourteen-cylinder engine with a starting power of 1,324 kW (1,800 hp)
- Propellers: Four-blade propeller with a constant rotational speed of 3,300 mm diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 596 km/h
- Cruising speed: 426 km/h
- Range: 1056 km
- Maximum Range: 2520 km
- Service ceiling: 11680 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 4,5 min to 5000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 2 30mm cannon in wing (42 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
- 70 mm additional bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
- Self-sealing fuel tanks in the hull
Summary
The Mitsubishi J2M2 with Type 2 cannons is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This fighter will have enormous firepower that will be sufficient to destroy any opponent. The Mitsubishi J2M2 with Type 2 cannons can be introduced into the game as a free alternative to the J2M5 30mm or as a modification for the standard J2M2. 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
二式三十粍固定機銃 - Wikipedia
Type 2 cannon
JPN - Type 2 (30 mm kanon) : Zbraně s jednoduchým závěrem
Book sources
- Japanese Heavy Fighters 1937-1945 , page 224-225
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 252-253
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 三菱篇』出版協同社, page 206-210
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
