- Yes
- No
Mitsubishi J2M6 Model 31 (三菱 雷電 三一型)
Welcome to my 202nd and final suggestion. The Mitsubishi J2M6 Model 31 is a Japanese interceptor fighter that was developed in 1944. This aircraft was intended to improve the visibility of the J2M3 fighters, and the Mitsubishi J2M4 (with a Yokosuka turbocharger) and J2M5 were developed based on it. Only two Mitsubishi J2M6 Model 31s were produced.
History
In February 1944, the Mitsubishi factories began producing the new improved Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21. Although the aircraft was better than the J2M2, pilots continued to complain about the limited space in the cockpit, poor visibility during takeoff and landing, and the high landing speed (162 km/h). For this reason, work began at Mitsubishi to improve visibility in the Mitsubishi J2M3 aircraft. To this end, it was decided to raise the front windshield by 50 mm and widen the cockpit glazing by 80 mm. Additionally, it was decided to make recesses in the fuselage behind the engine to improve visibility. After completing the technical documentation, the construction of a prototype began, but it was delayed because the Mitsubishi J2M5, which was developed around the same time, had a higher priority. In the Mitsubishi J2M5 project, modifications to the fuselage and cockpit were used, which were intended to be utilized in the J2M6. In May 1944, the J2M5 prototype was completed, and only in June 1944 was the Mitsubishi J2M6 prototype built. Tests of the prototype showed that the maximum speed had been reduced due to the modifications. The Japanese Navy command stated that Mitsubishi J2M5 interceptors would be needed rather than the J2M6, which was a modification of the J2M3 that had significant production issues. For this reason, the Mitsubishi J2M6 did not go into mass production, and in February 1945 only one more Mitsubishi J2M6 was built. Both aircraft were assigned to combat units, one to the 302nd Air Group, and the other to the 332nd or 256th Air Group. Both aircraft probably survived until the end of the war.
Art about Mitsubishi J2M6
Construction description
The Mitsubishi J2M6 is based on the Mitsubishi J2M3 fighter (which is already in the game), but it has a few modifications. The main one was a modification of the cockpit canopy, which is identical to that of the J2M5. The second modification was the introduction of recesses in the fuselage behind the engine to improve visibility.
Technical sketches
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9,69 m
- Wingspan: 10,79 m
- Height: 3,81 m
- Wing area: 20,05 m2
- Empty weight: 2 490 kg
- Gross weight: 3 440 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: 589 km/h
- Cruising speed: 426 km/h
- Range: 1055 km
- Maximum Range: 2520 km
- Service ceiling: 11520 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 5,38 min to 6000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 99 Model 1 type 4 20mm cannon in wing (190 rounds per cannon)
- 2 x Type 99 Model 2 type 4 20mm cannon in wings (210 rounds per cannon)
- Bombs
- 2 x 30 kg bombs
- 2 × 60 kg bombs
- Rocket:
- 2 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets (?)
- Fuel dump tanks:
- 2 x 300 L dump tanks under wings
- 1 x 400 L dump tanks under hull
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 J2M6 Model 31 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This plane would be almost identical to the Mitsubishi J2M3 in the regular game, but improved visibility in simulator mode would be a nice addition. The Mitsubishi J2M6 could be added to the folder with the Mitsubishi J2M3 or be a premium or event aircraft. 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 Raiden - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden “Jack” | Plane-Encyclopedia
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Jack) Info
Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
Micubiši J2M6 31 Raiden [Jack] : Micubiši
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
Book sources
- 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
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 116-121
- Lotnictwo wojskowe numer 6/2007 (Military Aviation No. 6/2007), page 64-73
- Fighters of the Dying Sun page 101, 103
- Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, page 17-18
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden | PDF
Farewell
At this point, pilots, tankers, and captains would like to say goodbye to you. This suggestion (my 202nd suggestion) is somewhat a farewell, because I am finishing writing suggestions. After nearly two years of writing suggestions, seeing that Gaijin is no longer interested in the WWII period (which is about 95% of my suggestions) and following BVVD’s recent statement at the Q&A that there are too many WWII vehicles in the game and they will no longer be added to the tech trees, I no longer see a reason to continue writing suggestions. These were two enjoyable years and over 200 written suggestions along with the opportunity to interact with the community, which is why I feel I must say goodbye. This will be the last suggestion I write, at least until Gaijin’s policy changes (which is very unlikely). I bid farewell to everyone and wish you the best of luck.
