Mitsubishi J2M5/6 Raiden
Type 33/31

Sword, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Sword's 1/72 scale Raiden is available online from Squadron.com

The J2M Raiden (Allied code-name Jack) was conceived as a point defence interceptor. It was to enable the Imperial Japanese Navy to provide land-based fighter protection to strategic locations within conquered territories. The design emphasis was on rapid climb and powerful armament, rather than the more traditional Japanese naval fighter characteristics of exceptional manoeuvrability and good range. The prototype first flew in May 1942, with Mitsubishi producing eight development aircraft in total. A significantly changed first production model, known as the J2M2, started to roll out of the factory in October of the same year.

The main changes for the J2M2 from the development aircraft were a different engine offering more power, different exhaust arrangement, a shorter cowl resulting from a shortened propeller shaft that reduced vibration problems, and redesigned cockpit glazing with a flat windscreen. Several problems led to the introduction of more modifications during production, including engine vibration dampers, an oil cooler scoop under the nose, changes to fuel tanks and a different propeller with blades that were wider at their base. J2M2 production totalled about 130.

The next version, manufactured concurrently with the J2M2, was the J2M3. It introduced heavier armament by deleting the fuselage machine guns and doubling the wing 20-mm cannons to four, although each pair consisted of different model cannon with differing ballistic characteristics. The J2M3 introduced a better canopy during its production run based on that of the two J2M6 development models. These preceded the both the J2M4 & 5, which is why the J2M6 was the Type 31, whilst the J2M4 and J2M5 were known as Types 32 and 33 respectively. The J2M3 was the most produced version with 435 completed.

Mitsubishi conceived various other development models and tested some of these. One that was the J2M4 based on the J2M6 with a turbocharger added to overcome the type’s poor high altitude performance. They built only two, each with a different make of turbocharger. Consideration of various armament configurations also included oblique upward-firing cannon.

Far more significant than either the J2M4 or J2M6 was the J2M5 with its mechanically driven supercharger. It was about 30% less powerful than the turbocharged J2M4, but it did at least make it into production, although the total built was only 43. Designed to use four wing cannon with the same ballistic trajectory, there is a photograph of one J2M5 fitted with two 30-mm wing cannon in place of the usual four 20-mm weapons. The J2M5 used the J2M6’s canopy with a deeper windscreen and a more bulged sliding portion when compared to the earlier J2M3’s.

The Raiden’s combat debut occurred in June 1944 in the battle of the Philippine Sea, and US forces were to encounter them in Guam and Saipan as well. They found some utility defending the home islands against B-29’s although their weak altitude performance was a hindrance. They were outclassed by US fighters and suffered at the hands of the B-29 escorts. Once the B-29’s switched to night raids they were of little use as interceptors despite the B-29’s flying at lower altitudes for these missions. Some Raidens also confronted the Soviet invasion of Manchuria in the last days of WW2.

Small numbers saw brief service post-WW2 with the Indonesian Peoples’ Independence Force and the South Korean Air Force, but the Raiden is probably best remembered for it defence of mainland Japan against B-29 raids.

Previous 1/72 Scale Raiden Kits

Tamiya released what I think was actually a 1/75-scale kit in the early 1970’s. I have since seen it boxed as 1/72-scale, but it looks very dated now. The far better and more readily available kit for many years has been by Hasegawa, originating I think in the early 1980’s. Although one of their earlier efforts, it is still good a good kit. It has fine engraved panel lines, a low parts count, is simple to assemble, but has basic interior detail. Hasegawa has re-boxed it repeatedly with different markings, recently issuing two to a box. Within the last year or so Resin Art released some stunning detail sets for the Hasegawa kit, which can lift the resultant model into the 21st Century. There have no doubt been other detail sets for this kit as well over the years.

So overall, the Raiden was a rather overlooked subject in the one true scale until Sword released its new J2M3 kit around March this year (reviewed here on HyperScale). This J2M5/6 release makes for a logical follow on from the earlier kit and is most welcome. Will we see a J2M2 from Sword as well? We live in hope...

Contents

This kit comes in a typically Czech end-opening box with rather indifferent computer generated artwork on the front. The instructions provide a parts map and a generally easy to follow diagrammatic assembly format. The diagrams are well drawn and better than some long-run brands. There is also a brief history of the aircraft, although this appears to be a copy of the earlier J2M3 kit’s text, and makes no mention of the J2M5 or 6.

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Paint colours are in Czech and English, with all other text in English. The painting and decal guide uses quite adequate black & white shaded 4-view drawings with colour profiles on the rear of the box. Sword has only generic colour call outs for detail parts and the painting and markings guide. I would have thought they could have at least managed to call the main colours IJN Green and Grey. The parts come enclosed in a zip-lock bag, with the clear, resin and PE parts each in small bags of their own.

This is a typical Sword kit in that the plastic has a more shiny finish than many other limited run brands. It has cleanly moulded parts with very fine surface detail. Sword has resisted any urge to cover the airframe in very fine rivets as they did with their P-47N, which is pleasing from my point of view at least. Parts break down is conventional for the type. The sprue gates are narrow, and there is just a hint of flash in places, but this a minor issue. High production standards apply to the resin and clear parts too.

The main difference between this and Sword’s earlier J2M3 kit is the new fuselage halves that cater for the larger and different shaped windscreen plus a more upward bulge in the sliding portion of the canopy, as developed for the J2M6 and used by the J2M5. The new fuselage sprue also includes two thicker cannon barrels and a smaller under-cowl air scoop for the J2M5.

The Airframe

The cockpit detail combines a plastic floor, rear bulkheads with headrest and separate armour, rudder pedals, control column and instrument panel that fit into a partial front bulkhead and coaming. The sidewalls are resin as is the seat. Regrettably, the seat doses not have a harness cast in place. This may indicate another boxing with PE extras is to follow this one, as has been the case for several other Sword kits. There is also a resin gun-sight and the Raiden’s prominent plate of bulletproof glass. A resin radio that fits behind the headrest along with the structural member running from the fuselage spine to the seat rounds out the cockpit detail. The Raiden had a large cockpit for a Japanese fighter meaning there is room to see more than usual in this scale. The level of detail provided is very good for a closed canopy model, although it is certainly worthwhile fitting the missing lap belts and the diagonal shoulder strap to improve its appearance.

The kit only provides the engine cooling-fan and the grill behind it, but you would not be able to see an engine even if it were present. There is a choice of propeller styles, but no guidance as to which one goes with which colour scheme. The kit provides too styles of air intake under the cowl, the larger one is for the J2M6. The engine cowl is completed with two separate rows of cowl flaps and integral exhaust stubs, the former being moulded in the closed position. I think this ensures that the exhaust stubs project separately from the fuselage, unlike the Hasegawa kit’s that come moulded with the fuselage halves.

Finely moulded inboard cannon barrels equip the first J2M5 colour scheme option and the sole J2M6, whilst the second J2M5 option features thicker, possibly 30-mm, barrels in place of the usual slender 20-mm kind. Unfortunately, the instructions provide no additional information regarding this armament difference.

The props are acceptably fine and the clear canopy looks very good.

The wheel wells have some good detail moulded integrally, and the wheels and legs look nicely done too. There are also some delicate retraction links for the small inner undercarriage doors. A drop tank with plumbing and commendably fine separate sway braces completes the underside.

Not much remains to mention regarding the parts, other than that I think this should be a simple and enjoyable kit to build.

Colours & Markings

The kit offers three decal options, all being painted IJN Green over IJN Grey:

• J2M5 of Cyushi Air Group, Bo Naval Air Station, Shanghai, China, 1945.

• J2M5 of 332nd Naval Air Group, Naruo Air Station, Hyogo-Prefecture, Japan.

• J2M6 of 302nd Naval Air Group, Atsugi Air Station, Kanagawa-Prefecture, Japan, spring 1945.

It is good to have this other Raiden variant after so many years of only the single J2M3 option offered by Hasegawa’s admittedly nice old kit. I hope that Sword issue a J2M2 to round out the main production variants.

Sword’s J2M5/6 is a nicely engineered kit produced to high standards. It has a better quality feel to it than some other limited run brands, with crisp moulding fine detail. However, it is a pity the resin seat did not include a harness.

It looks to be a nice straightforward build with the potential to produce a very attractive Raiden model. I highly recommend this kit.

Thanks to Sword Models for this review sample.

Review Text & Blue Background Images Copyright © 2012 by Mark Davies
Page Created 25 June, 2012
Last updated 25 June, 2012

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