Tamiya 1/48 Raiden J2M3
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:18 pm
While waiting for parts to arrive on another build, decided to squeeze in another entry for the Rising Sun GB.
This is the Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M3 Interceptor Raiden "Jack"; kit number 61018, originally released in 1973.
Before looking what's in the box, the requisite history.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (雷電, "Thunderbolt") was a single-engined land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Jack".
The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the A6M Zero, to meet the 14-Shi (14th year of the Showa reign, or 1939) official specification. It was to be a strictly local-defense interceptor, intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids, and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuverability.
The Raiden made its combat debut in June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Several J2Ms operated from Guam and Saipan and a small number of aircraft were deployed to the Philippines.
Primarily designed to defend against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the lack of a turbocharger handicapped the aircraft at high altitude. However, its four-cannon armament supplied effective firepower and the use of dive and zoom tactics allowed it to score occasionally. Insufficient numbers and the American switch to night bombing in March 1945 limited its effectiveness.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot
Length: 9.70 m (32 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.81 m (13 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 20 m² (216 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,211 kg (7,080 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 1,379 kW (1,850 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 655 km/h (355kn or 407 mph)
Range: 560 km (302 nmi, 348 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,430 m (37,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 1 402 m/min (4,600 ft/min)
Wing loading: 174 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.232 kW/kg (0.26 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm Type 99-2 cannons in the wings, two in each wing, inboard guns having 190 rpg, outboard guns 210 rpg.
Ordnance: 2 × 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or 2 × 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks.
Ok, let's see what's in the box, and how this 42 year old mould has held up.
Two sets of instructions, one in English, one in Japanese. Also a very nice full color print.
If you look carefully at the standing pilot, you'll see his has his pistol tucked in front.
I've heard both good and bad about these FastFrames. Let's see how they work for me on this build.
This is the Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi J2M3 Interceptor Raiden "Jack"; kit number 61018, originally released in 1973.
Before looking what's in the box, the requisite history.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (雷電, "Thunderbolt") was a single-engined land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Jack".
The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the A6M Zero, to meet the 14-Shi (14th year of the Showa reign, or 1939) official specification. It was to be a strictly local-defense interceptor, intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids, and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuverability.
The Raiden made its combat debut in June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Several J2Ms operated from Guam and Saipan and a small number of aircraft were deployed to the Philippines.
Primarily designed to defend against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the lack of a turbocharger handicapped the aircraft at high altitude. However, its four-cannon armament supplied effective firepower and the use of dive and zoom tactics allowed it to score occasionally. Insufficient numbers and the American switch to night bombing in March 1945 limited its effectiveness.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot
Length: 9.70 m (32 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.81 m (13 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 20 m² (216 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,211 kg (7,080 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 1,379 kW (1,850 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 655 km/h (355kn or 407 mph)
Range: 560 km (302 nmi, 348 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,430 m (37,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 1 402 m/min (4,600 ft/min)
Wing loading: 174 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.232 kW/kg (0.26 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm Type 99-2 cannons in the wings, two in each wing, inboard guns having 190 rpg, outboard guns 210 rpg.
Ordnance: 2 × 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or 2 × 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks.
Ok, let's see what's in the box, and how this 42 year old mould has held up.
Two sets of instructions, one in English, one in Japanese. Also a very nice full color print.
If you look carefully at the standing pilot, you'll see his has his pistol tucked in front.
I've heard both good and bad about these FastFrames. Let's see how they work for me on this build.
