In this video, we take a look at the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, a mid-World War II fighter and interceptor design that was made to defend the Japanese mainland from enemy bomber attacks. We first talk about the excellent decision to call for such a design all the way back in 1938-39, before Japan officially entered WW2. We then talk about how the design was immediately delayed due to Mitsubishi being made to work on the A6M Zero instead. We talk about the significant delays the Raiden experienced as a result.
We then take a look at some of the interesting and unique (for Japanese fighters) design choices for the Raiden, how they were to aid in performance, and how they also led to some delays. We then talk about the rocky early flight performance that was occasionally deadly, and how they fixed it. We talk about the eventual acceptance and delivery of the design in 1944, and how it was too little, too late to make any significant impact. We end by talking about how the Raiden could have made more of an impact if not for the A6M Zero.
