J2M3 Raiden
Contents
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General info
The J2M3 Raiden is a Rank IV Japanese fighter with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB) and 5.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals".
The main purpose, usage and tactics recommendations
General play style
The J2M3 continues the good cockpit visibility featured on all Japanese fighters.
Unlike its other Naval brethren in the Japanese tech tree, the Raiden possesses a top speed rivaling that of the P-51 D-5 Mustang. Although a stubby and small aircraft, the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden can be considered one of the best Japanese fighters in War Thunder. Wielding four 20mm cannons, this aircraft spells death for any enemy it encounters. However, the main advantage the Raiden has over its Allied counterparts is its climb rate. In realistic battles, the J2M3 can climb to altitude very fast, especially when given an air start. Once at a high altitude, this allows the Raiden pilot to pick and choose targets, dictating where and when he or she wants to fight. The J2M3's 20mm cannons may seem lackluster at first, but they have a knack for snapshots, or quick bursts of fire that result in a kill when maneuvering. Generally, the J2M3 performs similarly to the early Fw 190 A variants, having a deadly armament, good roll rate, low top speed, but higher climb rate. Use what the Raiden does best to achieve success - energy fighting. Instead of turning and burning, or losing all built up energy or speed in turns, attack enemies from a higher altitude and then regain that altitude once the attack has been delivered. The J2M3 excels at "BnZ" due to its high rate of climb and deadly armament.
The Raiden's main downside is its lack of maneuverability. Similar to its German counterpart, the Fw 190 A-8, the Raiden struggles to beat enemies in turn fights, especially Spitfires. If caught in a sticky situation, the Raiden pilot may choose to dive away or seek help from teammates. Trying to fight an enemy Spitfire in a turn battle with the J2M is a terrible idea, unless the enemy aircraft is damaged or many teammates are nearby. Moreover, the J2M's high speed maneuverability is poor, making the entire aircraft lock up. It can be very difficult to pull out of a dive, roll, or turn when at high speeds with the J2M. The Raiden's maneuverability is more or less on par with its enemies in simulator battles, for the most part.
Vehicle characteristics
Featuring two 20mm Type 99 mk 1 cannons and two 20mm Type 99 mk 2 cannons with plenty of ammunition, the J2M3 is capable of destroying all kinds of aircraft. Although destroying heavy bombers like the B-29 Superfortress takes a lot of ammunition, the J2M3 can afford to lose some. The "Stealth" belt has the best combination of AP/API and HEF to shred enemy aircraft, and are recommended for those who do not need a tracer shell to aim. Alternatively, for those not used to IJN 20mms, the "Universal" belt is your best bet. The "Tracer" belt is filled with HEFt shells, but they only contain half of the power of a standard HEF, and can give away your position.
For ground attack, the J2M3 can equip two 60 kg bombs under the wings. While not the biggest, these bombs can help a team win a match, especially in arcade battles. The J2M3 can also wield armor piercing ground targets ammunition for its 20mm cannons, although 21mm of penetration is nothing to boast about and should be ignored, unless targeting armoured personal carriers (APC) or similar armoured cars.
Tactics
Overall, the Raiden is best used as a surprise attack, high altitude, high damage output fighter. While it does not excel in the speed or maneuverability categories, it makes up for that in armament and rate of climb.
Specific enemies worth noting
The Raiden pilot may also find him or herself outclassed by high altitude aircraft such as the P-51 D-5 Mustang. All these aircraft have to do to avoid the J2M is dive away and build up speed. Fortunately, the J2M3 has a surprise - a massive ammunition pool totaling 800 rounds. That's 800 rounds of high explosive cannon ammunition that can be dispensed at will towards fleeing enemies. With good aim and practice, it is possible to "snipe" enemies from a kilometer away.
Counter-tactics
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Decent top speed.
- Large ammunition pool.
- Climbs very well.
- Has generally good dive characteristics.
- Good energy retention.
- 12mm armor plate behind windscreen.
- Good roll rate at lower speeds.
Cons:
- Very poor high speed performance.
- Prone to engine and fuel fires.
- Doesn't turn well.
- Elevator doesn't respond well, especially at high speeds.
- Lack of armor around fuel tanks or engine.
- Differing muzzle velocities between the two marks of the Type 99 cannon on the J2M3 will require you to lead much further than normal as an order to utilize the full effectiveness of the J2M3's firepower.
Specifications
Armaments
Offensive armaments
- 2 × 20 mm Type 99 Mk 2 cannons, wing-mounted (210 rpg = 420 total)
- 2 × 20 mm Type 99 Mk 1 cannons, wing-mounted (190 rpg = 380 total)
Payload
- Without load
- 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bombs
- 2 x 10 kg Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
- 2 x 15 kg Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets
- 2 x 66 kg Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets
- 2 x 84 kg Type 3 No.6 Mod.9 rockets
Armour
- 70 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front.
- 8.5 mm Steel plate in pilot's headrest.
Engine & mobility
Engine
- Cooling type: Air
- Max power: 1393 hp (Stock), ____ hp (Upgraded)
- Takeoff power: 1645 hp (Stock), ____ hp (Upgraded)
- Mass: 860 kg
Stat card
- Max speed: 563 km/h
- at height: 5,500 m
- Max altitude: 11,500 m
- Turn Time: 20.1 s
- Rate of Climb: 13.7 m/s
- Takeoff run: 300 m
Upgraded
- Max speed: ___ km/h
- at height: 5,500 m
- Max altitude: 11,500 m
- Turn Time: __._ s
- Rate of Climb: _._ m/s
- Takeoff run: 300 m
Performance
Warning this is still in the test phase and is probably incorrect. Take information with a grain of salt (data taken from 1.55)
Supercharger Stage #1: 100%
Supercharger Stage #1: WEP
Supercharger Stage #2: 100%
Supercharger Stage #2: WEP
Modules and improvements
Unlocking all performance modules should be a Raiden pilot's first concern, as the default belts for all weapons are workable. After that, go for the weapon belts, as these make more targets possible (ground units).
History of creation and combat usage
The J2M was developed to be the answer to intercepting American bombers, which gradually became a serious threat leading up towards 1945. Aircraft that could reach high-flying bombers such as the B-29, came in limited supply or there was no aircraft that could perform sufficiently at these altitudes. The Army's Ki-61 was considered the best interceptor against the B-29's, while the Navy did not have an aircraft that could perform as on par. Thus the J2M series surfaced as the result of the Japanese Navy request for an interceptor, the need of which became ever apparent after the experiences with the American raid on the Japanese homeland shorty after the attack on Pearl Harbor (Doolittle's Raids).
The Chief Designer was Jiro Horikoshi, who also designed the famous A6M fighter. However, unlike the A6M, the J2M was geared for a completely different role, focusing more on rate of climb and speed, then range and maneuverability. The Raiden had only a limited range and was solely used as an interceptor.
The J2M boasted speed and good performance from medium to high altitudes, and its heavy armament contributed to it being a powerful aircraft. However, at the time of its production, the J2M was known to be a complex and somewhat difficult aircraft to build. Japan's industry began to deteriorate later in the war, and producing the J2M was very slow to meet the Navy's expectations.
The most important feat of arms came with the American B-29 raids over Japan, where the J2M Raiden proved to be a real threat to the bombers - the J2M was well armed, fast and the large pools of mmmo meant that despite a small number of Raidens, the four squadrons operating them were credited with the destruction of 21 Superfortresses during the later months of August 1944 to the end of the war. Furthermore, the J2M2 saw limited action in the Philippines, although it was largely ineffective.
Screenshots and fan art
Skins and camouflages for the J2M3 on WT:Live
Additional information (links)
References
| Horsepower graph | Sidebar |
[expand] Japan Aircraft [expand]
☑ ☐
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 J2M3 Raiden |
| Nation | Japan |
| Type | Fighter |
| Fighting style | Boom & Zoom |
Metric✓ Imperial
| Characteristics | |
| Empty Weight | ~2627 kg |
| Empty Weight + fuel | ~3196 kg |
| Takeoff Weight | ~3946 kg |
| Wing Area | ~21 m² |
| # Flap Positions | 3 |
| Number of Engines | 1 |
| Air Brakes | no |
| Arrestor Gear | no |
| Statistics | |
| Power per Engine | 1580 hp |
| WEP Duration | 35.00 minutes |
| top speed | ~634.68 kph at 5300 m |
| Climb Rate | ~18.18 m/s |
| Turn Time | ~19.00 s |
| Wing loading (Empty) | ~128.00 kg/m² |
| Main Weapons | |
| 2 x Type 99 Mk 1 | 190 RPG |
| 2 x Type 99 Mk 2 | 210 RPG |
| Payload Option 1 | |
| Without load | Clean Plane |
| Payload Option 2 | |
| 2 x 💣 60 kg | Type 97 mod.6 Bomb |
| Limits | |
| Max Speed limit | 800 kph |
| Gear lmit | 450 kph |
| Combat Flaps | 520 kph |
| Max static +G's | ~24 |
| Max static -G's | ~24 |
| Optimal Velocities | |
| Ailerons | <420 kph |
| Rudder | <420 kph |
| Elevators | <460 kph |
| Radiator | >280 kph |
| Manual Control | |
| Mixer | is controllable |
| Pitch | is controllable has automatic pitch |
| Radiator (water) | is controllable |
| Radiator (oil) | is not controllable |
| Oil and water | uses combined radiator control |
| Supercharger | is controllable |
| Turbocharger | is not controllable |
| Compressor settings 1 | |
| Optimal Altitude | 2203 m |
| 100% Enginepower | 1680 hp |
| WEP Enginepower | 1999 hp |
| Compressor settings 2 | |
| Optimal Altitude | 5400 m |
| 100% Enginepower | 1560 hp |
| WEP Enginepower | 1856 hp |
