J2M4 Kai

J2M4 Kai

J2M4 Kai

Japan

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.0	4.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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This page is about the premium Japanese aircraft J2M4 Kai. For other vehicles of the same family, see J2M (Family).

Description

The J2M4 Kai Raiden is a premium rank IV Japanese interceptor with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB), 5.0 (RB), and 4.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.47 "Big Guns" and costs 3,850 Golden Eagles.

Although a stubby and small aircraft, the Mitsubishi J2M4 Raiden can be considered one of the best Japanese fighters in War Thunder. Unlike its other Naval brethren in the Japanese tech tree, the Raiden possesses a top speed rivaling that of the P-51D-5.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 9,200 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
543	533	13000	20.6	21.1	7.0	9.2	300
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 9,200 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	13000	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	300

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Max Static G
		+	-
820	350	~12	~9

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< ???	< ???	< ???	> ???

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
7,900 m	1,420 hp	1,690 hp

Survivability and armour

• 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armored windscreen
• 8.5 mm Steel plate in pilot's headrest

Armaments

Offensive armament

The J2M4 Kai is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, wing-mounted (190 rpg = 380 total)
• 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon, wing-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)

Wielding four 20 mm cannons, this aircraft can cripple any enemy it encounters. However, the main advantage the Raiden has over its Allied counterparts is its climb rate. In realistic battles, the J2M4 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 J2M4's 20 mm cannons may seem lackluster at first, but they have a knack for snapshots, or quick bursts of fire when maneuvering.

Suspended armament

The J2M4 Kai can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bombs (120 kg total)

Usage in battles

Generally, the J2M4 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 turn fighting or bleeding 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 J2M4 excels at Boom & Zoom due to its high rate of climb and deadly armament, even more so than its earlier variants, the J2M2 and J2M3.

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.

The Raiden pilot may also find him or herself outran 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 J2M4 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.

Featuring four 20 mm Type 99 mk 1 cannons with plenty of ammunition, the J2M4 is capable of destroying all kinds of aircraft. Although destroying heavy bombers like the B-29 Superfortress takes a lot of ammunition, the J2M4 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 20 mms, 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.

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.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator			Offensive 20 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	Offensive 20 mm
III	Wings Repair	Engine			New 20 mm Cannons
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 20 mm Cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good top speed
• Large ammunition pool
• Climbs very well
• Has generally good dive characteristics
• Good energy retention
• 12 mm armor plate behind windscreen
• Good roll rate at lower speeds
• Decent high altitude performance due to the turbocharger

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 J2M4 will require you to lead much further than normal as an order to utilize the full effectiveness of the J2M4's firepower

History

The J2M Raiden was 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 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.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

Mitsubishi Company (三菱商会)
Fighters	A5M4 · Hagiri's A5M4
	A6M2 mod. 11 · A6M2 · A6M3 · A6M3 mod. 22 · A6M3 mod. 22Ko · A6M5 · A6M5 Ko · A6M5 otsu · A6M5 Hei · A6M6c
	A7M1 (NK9H) · A7M2
	J2M2 · J2M3 · J2M4 Kai · J2M5 · J2M5 (30 mm)
Hydroplanes	F1M2
Interceptors	Ki-83 · Ki-109
Bombers	G4M1
	Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei · Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Jet Fighters	Ki-200
Captured	▃A6M2 · ␗A6M2
See also	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Post-War)