1/72 J2M5/6 Raiden

The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Allied codename ‘Jack’) was a Japanese single-seat fighter aircraft developed for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. Unlike the famous A6M Zero, which was designed with an emphasis on manoeuvrability and range, the Raiden was conceived as an interceptor with an emphasis on high rate of climb and speed. The aim was to create an aircraft capable of climbing rapidly and engaging enemy bombers effectively. It was characterised by its robust fuselage and massive radial engine, which gave it an unmistakable silhouette.

The J2M5 and J2M6 versions were among the later and more advanced variants in terms of performance. The J2M5 utilised an altitude-modified engine for better performance at high altitudes, where engagements with high-flying bombers took place. These aircraft, deployed in the final phase of the war, represented one of the Japanese defence forces’ responses to the intensifying air raids over the home islands. For modellers, the Raiden is of interest due to its unusual, ‘stocky’ appearance, which differs markedly from the sleeker Japanese fighters of the period.

The Sword kit, in 1:72 scale, is a glue-up model supplemented with resin parts (PUR), which provide a finer and more detailed finish to selected sections, and with masks to facilitate the painting of the cockpit canopy and other surfaces. The inclusion of two marking variants allows you to build the model in two different versions, enabling you to tailor the finished result to your preferences. The 1:72 scale is popular with collectors and for building larger collections, as it offers a good balance between size, detail and space requirements. The pack does not contain the paints or adhesives required for assembly.