Hasegawa 135 1/72 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Jack) Japanese Aircraft

Model Aircraft Kit

Designed as a direct response to the increasing threat of high-altitude bombing over the Japanese home islands, the Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden—known to Allied forces as “Jack”—represents a distinct departure from the nimble, long-range philosophy of earlier Japanese fighters. Conceived by Jiro Horikoshi, famed for the A6M Zero, the Raiden emphasized climb rate, speed, and heavy armament, mounting four 20mm cannons and powered by the robust Mitsubishi Kasei engine. Entering combat in 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, it served primarily as a homeland interceptor against B-29 raids, though its performance was hampered by the lack of a turbocharger.