In Box Review of Otaki 1/48th Scale
Japanese Navy Mitsubishi J2M Intercepter "Jack"
Kit no. OT2-9
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1985
Available 2 places overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1985
Available 2 places overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The plan for manufacturing the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was drawn by the Navy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in September 1939, two years before WWII.
However, the first flight was delayed until March 1942, due to various remodelling attempts. This plane features its Mercury 13 Type air-cooled engine, although most fighters had liquid-cooled engines in those days.
It has a long propeller shaft for better visual command and has a forced cooling fan. It is an extremely good air-defense fighter, though with some problem in the command of frontal view.
The Model 11, Model 21 and Model 23 were available, but Model 21A is the most famous. Approximately 280 units were of the Model 21A among the total production of 470 units.
In 1942, 7.7 mm gunson the body were removed. Four belt-feed type guns (20 mm) were installed on the main wing instead. Its fuel tank in the body was covered in rubber. It actively attacked Boeing B-29's.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: one, pilot
Length: 9.70 m (32 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.81 m (13 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 20 m² (216 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,211 kg (7,080 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 1,379 kW (1,850 hp)
Maximum speed: 671km/h (417mph) (at 4980m)
Range: 1467 km (912 nmi, 795 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,430 m (37,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 1402 m/min (4,600 ft/min)
Wing loading: 174 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.42 kW/kg (0.26 hp/lb)
Armament: 2x Type 99-2 inboard wing-mounted 20x101mmRB cannon with 190 rpg
2x Type 99-1 outboard wing-mounted 20x72mmRB cannon with 210 rpg
2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or 2 × 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks or single larger central.
The plan for manufacturing the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was drawn by the Navy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in September 1939, two years before WWII.
However, the first flight was delayed until March 1942, due to various remodelling attempts. This plane features its Mercury 13 Type air-cooled engine, although most fighters had liquid-cooled engines in those days.
It has a long propeller shaft for better visual command and has a forced cooling fan. It is an extremely good air-defense fighter, though with some problem in the command of frontal view.
The Model 11, Model 21 and Model 23 were available, but Model 21A is the most famous. Approximately 280 units were of the Model 21A among the total production of 470 units.
In 1942, 7.7 mm gunson the body were removed. Four belt-feed type guns (20 mm) were installed on the main wing instead. Its fuel tank in the body was covered in rubber. It actively attacked Boeing B-29's.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: one, pilot
Length: 9.70 m (32 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.81 m (13 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 20 m² (216 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,211 kg (7,080 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 1,379 kW (1,850 hp)
Maximum speed: 671km/h (417mph) (at 4980m)
Range: 1467 km (912 nmi, 795 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,430 m (37,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 1402 m/min (4,600 ft/min)
Wing loading: 174 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.42 kW/kg (0.26 hp/lb)
Armament: 2x Type 99-2 inboard wing-mounted 20x101mmRB cannon with 190 rpg
2x Type 99-1 outboard wing-mounted 20x72mmRB cannon with 210 rpg
2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or 2 × 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks or single larger central.
THE KIT:
Otaki is a prolific model company based in Tokyo, Japan.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a "Jack" flying above the countryside over a dark cloud of smoke. It is dark-green over a light-grey under-carraige, with a white rudder code 3D-1190. It has a dark-blue anti-glare panel in from of the windscreen. It was Japanese AF no. 302, flown by Lt. Akamatsu in 1945.
There is a sticker for Scalecraft on one corner of the box art. They were the U.S. importer and distributor for Otaki in the 80's.
One side panel has 2 color profiles of the "Jack". The box- art one and one in the same colors with white rudder code 352-37.
Otaki is a prolific model company based in Tokyo, Japan.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a "Jack" flying above the countryside over a dark cloud of smoke. It is dark-green over a light-grey under-carraige, with a white rudder code 3D-1190. It has a dark-blue anti-glare panel in from of the windscreen. It was Japanese AF no. 302, flown by Lt. Akamatsu in 1945.
There is a sticker for Scalecraft on one corner of the box art. They were the U.S. importer and distributor for Otaki in the 80's.
One side panel has 2 color profiles of the "Jack". The box- art one and one in the same colors with white rudder code 352-37.
The other side panel has 5 color box arts of other aircraft kits that Otaki manufactures: This kit of the "Jack", a Ki-44 fighter "Tojo", a Ki-100 fighter "Goshiki", a Curtiss P-40E "Warhawk" and a P-51 "Mustang".
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 3 medium-grey trees, a clear canopy and the decal sheet in 2 stapled-shut clear cello bags and 3 instructions.
The first instructions is all in English. It begins with the history and specifications of the "Jack", a top and bottom view and 3 side views of "Jacks".
The 1st side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors, with a yellow fuselage band, red spinner and white rudder code KD-37.
The 2nd side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors with 2 yellow lightning bolts under the cockpit on the sides of the fuselage, a red spinner and white rudder no. 352-37.
The 33d side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors, with white rudder no. 3D-1195 and a red spinner.
This kit contains 3 medium-grey trees, a clear canopy and the decal sheet in 2 stapled-shut clear cello bags and 3 instructions.
The first instructions is all in English. It begins with the history and specifications of the "Jack", a top and bottom view and 3 side views of "Jacks".
The 1st side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors, with a yellow fuselage band, red spinner and white rudder code KD-37.
The 2nd side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors with 2 yellow lightning bolts under the cockpit on the sides of the fuselage, a red spinner and white rudder no. 352-37.
The 33d side view is a "Jack" in the box art colors, with white rudder no. 3D-1195 and a red spinner.
Below these are the parts- trees illustrations.
Trees are alphabetized.
The bottom of the sheet has the first 3 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the sheet has a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps.
The 2nd instructions is the same size and identical layout of the English language sheet, but its all in Japanese.
The 3rd instructions is a single-sheet, printed in color on one side on slick-coated paper. It shows 2 side views of "Jacks" with white tail codes 3D-1183 and 352-37.
Trees are alphabetized.
The bottom of the sheet has the first 3 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the sheet has a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps.
The 2nd instructions is the same size and identical layout of the English language sheet, but its all in Japanese.
The 3rd instructions is a single-sheet, printed in color on one side on slick-coated paper. It shows 2 side views of "Jacks" with white tail codes 3D-1183 and 352-37.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: fuselage, cowling, engine parts, drop tank, elevators etc. (11 parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds the wings (3 parts)
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: propeller, spinner, main wheels, tail wheel, landing-gear legs, wheel pants, dashboard, exhaust-pipes, pilot etc. (35 parts)
The clear part is the canopy (1 part)
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
Detail is engraved. Flaps are all molded solid.
Recommended.
Recommended.