in fuselage, two 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon in wings. J2M5a Model 33A: Armed with four wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon. Wing cannon were harmonized in trajectory and ballistics with each 200 rpg. J2M6 Model 31: Chronologically earlier than J2M4 and J2M5 this version was based on J2M3. Had wider cockpit and improved bubble canopy later used in J2M3 built since July 1943. J2M6a Model 31A: Chronologically earlier than J2M4 and J2M5 this version was based on J2M3a. Had wider cockpit and improved bubble canopy later used in J2M3a built since July 1943. One J2M6a was built. J2M7 Model 23A: J2M3 powered by Kasei 26a engine, a few built. J2M7a Model 23A: J2M3a powered by Kasei 26a engine, a few built. Production After the decisive Battle of Midway in 1942 Japan's military leaders rushed to re-equip their forces for defense of the home islands. In fighter designs the interceptor role now took priority over forward projection of offensive power. Allied forces, meanwhile, sought to establish air superiority over Japanese-held territories via B-29 bombing raids on industrial targets. The struggle to meet production demands sparked a Japanese initiative to recruit shonenko (child labour) from Taiwan (Formosa). Though the target of 25,000 youths was never reached, over 8,400 Taiwanese youths aged 12 to 14 relocated to Mitsubishi plants to help build the J2M Raiden. The Allied advance took its toll. In 1945 aircraft production in Japan collapsed, as numbers for the J2M reflect. Allied bombing raids began in December 1944 and progressively disrupted production of the J2M. A direct hit on the Mitsubishi Dai San Kokuki Seisakusho aircraft plant caused the complete loss of airframes, machine tools, and jigs. This halted further production. Production generally suffered less from direct hits on factories, which were rare, but from attacks on suppliers and consequent shortages of material and construction tools. Operators Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service 256th Kōkūtai November 1944 - December 1945 301st Kōkūtai February 1944 - July 1945 302nd Kōkūtai March 1945 - August 1945 332nd Kōkūtai August 1944 - August 1945 352nd Kōkūtai August 1944 - August 1945 381st Kōkūtai End 1943 - April 1945 Yokosuka Kōkūtai Yatabe Kōkūtai Genzan Kōkūtai Tainan Kōkūtai Konoike Kōkūtai Chushi Kōkūtai Surviving aircraft J2M3 Model 21 c/n 3014 is on display at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, California. Specifications (J2M3) See also Notes Bibliography The Complete Encyclopedia of