2194days

Aircraft · Japan · 1942-1945

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden

interceptor

Designed by Zero creator Jiro Horikoshi for a role the Zero was never meant to fill, the Raiden (Thunderbolt) sacrificed range and agility for climb rate and firepower to intercept high-altitude B-29 raids. Chronic engine problems delayed it for years, and it entered service too late and in too few numbers to blunt the bombing campaign it was built for.

Wikipedia

crew1
top speed587 km/h
armament4x 20mm cannon
produced621

Pacific

Japanese aircraft taken over by the Allies in British Malaya were tested and evaluated by Japanese naval aviators under close supervision of RAF officers from Seletar Airfield. Here two Mitsubishi J2M Raiden fighters (kn
Japanese aircraft taken over by the Allies in British Malaya were tested and evaluated by Japanese naval aviators under close supervision of RAF officers from Seletar Airfield. Here two Mitsubishi J2M Raiden fighters (knBreeze (Sergeant), Royal Air Force official photographer · Public domain · source
​局地戦闘機 雷電 21型（J2M3）
​局地戦闘機 雷電 21型（J2M3）Goshimini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source