Mitsubishi J2M Raiden – A special variant of the 302nd Kokutai with ∃D-Marking (1:48 Scale by Tamiya and 1:48 / 1:32 Hasegawa)

[BOBO]

Currently, there are only two different 1:48 scale kits of this type available on the model-building market. The Tamiya kit is technically 1:50 scale, but this discrepancy is negligible, as the differences compared to the other model are minor—indeed, they are not even noticeable when compared to other similar models.

The web is full of photographs of this aircraft type, but unfortunately, the information is often contradictory; sub-variants are frequently confused, misidentified, or completely mixed up.

Even the publication by Mushroom contains several printing errors!
Sources of information regarding this aircraft type can be difficult to locate or prohibitively expensive to acquire. However, with a bit of digging on eBay, one can usually find what is needed at reasonably fair prices.

Of particular interest to me was the volume covering the 302nd Kokutai; alongside the Raiden, it features numerous photographs of other aircraft types—many of which can be found represented in model kits or decal sets—and there is absolutely no doubt regarding their authenticity (e.g., a D3A Val bearing the "YoD" code, a Bü 131D, or an A6M2-K).

But let me return to the J2M Raiden (Jack).
Modeling specific variants or equipment configurations makes for an interesting conversion project. Much like the A6M5 Type 52 (YoD-129) or a J2M3 I built previously, this particular conversion is relatively quick and simple to execute. I managed to locate several photographs of the actual aircraft, allowing this specific conversion to be classified as historically verified.

 

[BOBO]

So, here is the proposed modification: the J2M3 version is fitted with a 20mm cannon on the left side, firing laterally upwards. This section will be specially marked and highlighted.

Here is another such version—∃D-147—but a later J2M2 variant; note the retrofitted covers on the cowling and the bulge on the wing!

This is Lieutenant Sen Tachikawa from the 13th Class of the Preparatory Training Program. He was transferred from Kaminoike Air Base and began his training with the 1st Squadron; however, he never saw combat flight duty and was subsequently transferred to a Zero night-fighter squadron the following spring. The inscription "Caution: Muzzle!"—located above the 20mm cannon that protrudes diagonally from the fuselage of the J3M3 Raiden Type 21 (tail code YoD-1180)—was a lesson learned from an incident involving the accidental discharge of a Zero night-fighter's upward-firing machine gun.

One further observation worth noting here:
Beneath the tail code (YoD-xxxx), one often finds additional Japanese characters. After consulting multiple translations, my initial assumption was confirmed: these characters denote the rank and name of the pilot who flew the aircraft—or, in some cases, the chief mechanic assigned to that specific machine. This practice mirrors that of the German Luftwaffe; indeed, the concept of a "personal aircraft" also existed within the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service.


Give it a try yourself using your mobile phone and Google Lens...

 

[BOBO]

Another picture from J2M2 with covered motor-cannon channels!

At the bottom of the left boot, the muzzle of the 20mm cannon.

Behind the fixed windscreen of the Raiden—where Petty Officer Second Class Shunichi Shiratori sat—a sight for the upward-firing Type 3 machine guns was mounted alongside the sight for the forward-firing Type 98 machine gun, positioned at the top left of the front panel. This arrangement impaired visibility and, above all, made aiming extremely difficult, rendering hits—except in close-range combat—virtually impossible. Aligning the sight with the trajectory must have been an extremely arduous task.

And here is a nice video from Japanese Navy Raiden Squadrons

 

[BOBO]

Here is the video of the J2M2 Type 11 (Late Production), matching the photos above—enjoy!
A sensational research discovery in *KokuFan Illustrated* #96.
In fact, there exists a photograph of the orange-yellow prototype—which was converted into the configuration featuring one machine gun in each wing and two machine guns above the engine (note the fairings on the upper and lower wing surfaces)—and which subsequently saw service with the 302nd NAG.

(Above) Since Lieutenant Colonel Kozono assumed command on March 2nd, officers and enlisted personnel who had received their orders gradually arrived at Oppama Air Base. For nearly two weeks, however, there were no aircraft. Finally, on March 14th, three machines arrived. Two of these yellow-orange painted aircraft were not production models, but rather Type 14 prototypes that had previously been operated by the Yokosuka Air Group and the 301st Air Group (the second Raiden unit). On the underside of the main wing—situated within the *Hinomaru* (Japanese national insignia)—the bulge housing the 100-round ammunition magazine is visible. The aircraft in the foreground is a Hiroshima Electric Railway 21st Generation.
Google isn't entirely accurate here.

The more I delve into the subject matter of the 302nd NAG (∃D xxxx), the more surprises emerge as I translate the Japanese texts. In connection with the image above of the light-colored J2M2, I also came across a black-and-white photograph in the 302nd NAG chronicle; I promptly ran it through the test tool for AI colorization—which I have already described here—and obtained an intriguing color image.

The translated caption (likely ∃D-102) reads as follows:

It was not until 4–5 months after the formation of the 302nd Kokutai that this orange-yellow J2M Raiden prototype was transferred to the Yokosuka Naval Air Base, where it continued to be utilized for training purposes. Here (in the photograph), Lt. Hiroyuki Uena is conducting a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft. This prototype was not equipped with machine guns or gunsights, nor did it possess a radio set in the rear cockpit section.
On September 11, 1944, Lt. Uena was forced to make an emergency landing in a field; during the landing, he struck an earthen embankment and lost his life.

With this, I am slowly approaching the conversion project to turn the Tamiya kit into a J2M2 featuring the orange-yellow color scheme.
It is not entirely straightforward, as a different instrument panel is required:

J2M2 cockpit

J2M3 Cockpit

The wing blisters must be reconstructed, and superfluous openings on the underside of the wings need to be filled.
Does "no wing or fuselage armament" also imply that there are no blisters on the wings—meaning the gun ports for the engine-mounted weapons are faired over?
I will then use the other kit for the *Schräge Musik* installation!

Let's begin now with the conversion!

However, that won't happen immediately. I always double-check everything, draft a conversion plan, procure any additional parts, and then I get started.
Unfortunately, I also still have to handle my mother's (90) funeral arrangements—a process in Germany that involves a great deal of bureaucracy.

 

[fubar57]

Do it. Looking forward to this Built the Tamiya kit a few years ago

 

[BOBO]

I'd be happy to do that and also clear up some of the incorrect information posted here on the board. Unfortunately, no one really dares to use the correct model designation. I wonder why—it's actually very simple. You just need to know the specific details that distinguish the different models from one another.


But... my mother is died at the age of 90 —may she rest in peace—and then that the funeral is over, I can turn my attention back to my hobby.

 

[fubar57]

Very sorry to hear this. Take your time. Personal life is way more important

 

[BOBO]

J2M5 Type 31

J2M2 late Type 11

By the way, the ventilation opening for the fuselage machine guns is missing from these photos of the "∃D-150" Perhaps it really is a modified J2M3 using old airframe parts?

These two photos are interesting because American GIs photographed two different J2Ms at the same location: ∃D-150 is a late-production Type 11 (?) and ∃D-183 is a Type 31.
The bottom photo, with the yellow circles, highlights specific features of ∃D-150. The drum-fed armament system was replaced by a belt-feed mechanism, yet the machine gun channel on the engine cowling remains visible, albeit partially covered. There is only one cannon per wing. Was this a field modification, a new production series, or a case of assembling whatever parts were available due to a shortage of spares?

And I'm still not finished with my research. A test using AI colorization somehow confirmed or supported my assumption that the conversion took place on the war front using spare parts.

 

[BOBO]

∃D-1182 a J2M3 - I suspect at this point that it is a machine with an oblique weapon, since the number range

∃D-1182 lies between the two oblique armaments in my list.

∃D-1154 J2M3

Attached is the updated list of ∃D-numbers for the 302nd Kokutai.
Please note the distinction between the J2M and the other aircraft types. Some numbers were assigned twice!

Addition to the table:
∃D-1182 J2M3 with oblique-firing cannon
∃D-1154 J2M3

 

[BOBO]

ADDENDUM to List 302. Kokutai (NAG)
∃D-131 : A6M7
∃D-132 : A6M2 Type 21
∃D-146 : J2M3
∃D-1190 : J2M3

A J2M3 (code ∃D-155) is visible here; to the right the tail section of another J2M bearing the number 1190 can be seen; in front of it to the left is a hard-to-identify ∃D number (1x2??), and on the far left, another J2M—though unfortunately, only "∃D" is legible. :erstaunt:

 

[BOBO]

Here is the current list of YoD-numbers for the J2M Raiden types.

 

[BOBO]

And now, finally, my J2M Raiden model projects in 1:48 scale.

First up is a Tamiya kit. It will be a ∃D-1183 with a yellow fuselage band and a cannon mounted on the left side as an oblique weapon.

I got the decals for it from Kagero's book "Fighters over Japan" Vol. II.

 

[fubar57]

Looking good. I have yet to try cutting out plastic lights

 

[Wurger]

Nice. But please cover the Kagero decal sheet with a clear coat before you start using. Unfortunately their decals like falling apart because nobody knows how long time ago these were printed and how long storaged.

 

[Gnomey]

Good work so far!

 

[BOBO]

Nice. But please cover the Kagero decal sheet with a clear coat before you start using. Unfortunately their decals like falling apart because nobody knows how long time ago these were printed and how long storaged.

Better ist decal lequid film from Microsol
Best wishes from holiday in Albania with only 42°C

 

[Wurger]

Better ist decal lequid film from Microsol
Best wishes from holiday in Albania with only 42°C

Of course you may use the Microsol decal liquid but decal cracking may happen though.

Have fun there.

 

[BOBO]

The kit is quick to assemble, but some corrections are necessary.

I added the tail position light – I had already added wing lights and filled the gap with superglue – the tail light isn't quite finished yet... I also installed an eyelet for the antennas on the vertical stabilizer and attached the cockpit to the fuselage with a bit of force.
The sight of radio box is completely wrong and much too small- it is trash; I need a different one

the only question is which one would fit...

I removed the mysterious radio box, as it was far too small and only marginally useful.

 

[Wurger]

 

[BOBO]

Last night, the wing and fuselage were joined and secured with rubber bands. This was necessary because otherwise the dihedral angle would not have been accurate.

Today was the first day of coloring; I painted the underside with AGAMA J14M - it looks similar to Duck Egg Green.