ChezDaJez
Posts: 3436
Joined: 11/12/2004
From: Chehalis, WA
Status: offline
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Tanjman is correct. The Jack was not a carrier capable fighter. It had no arresting hook and its fuselage was not desiged to withstand the rigors of carrier landings. The letter "J" in J2M indicates it was designed and built as a land-based naval fighter. It was, by all accounts a successful design but production quality and engine problems prevented it from realizing its full potential. It was the first Japanese fighter to use a laminar flow wing and it traded maneuverability for speed and climbing ability. It could reach 16000 feet in less than 6 minutes from the time it began its takeoff roll.
And by the time the Jack became available, most of Japan's carrier fleet lay rusting on the bottom so there was little need for a carrier capable aircraft. By mid-1944, Japan needed air defence fighters and the Jack proved capable of destroying heavy bombers. In fact, it was potentially Japan's best heavy bomber destroyer but its limited numbers, production issues and poor pilot quality ensured that it would never achieve its potential.
Chez
_____________________________
Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998)
VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78
ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81
VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87
Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90
ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92
NRD Seattle 1992-96
VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98
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RE: What to do with IJN CVEs? - 
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