Concluding the Nieuport 28 and Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (new project) - January 8th, 2026
Hello everyone. It's me Antony, back with another Blog here to start 2026.
I know. I've been absent without writing anything new here. Updating the computer that I use, job, studies, playing video-games, watching some YouTube videos, listening to some musics and doing my chores at some moments decreased my spare-time dedicated to Blogs. I'm still moving some things from Windows to Fedora Linux and testing some things, like OBS Studio, Audacity and some other programs. I still need to see if I'm going to install HitFilms via Bottles or plan to find for another video editor software that could be compatible with Linux.
There are others, but I'm not going to consider Lightworks. I tried it once before knowing HitFilms, but my brother and I didn't enjoy it due to a series of factors. Yet, William told me Blender could be an alternative since there are video editing tools. However, there are some saved files from HitFilm that I didn't finish before installing Fedora Linux - mostly for my gaming channel: TonyTorius. (yeah, I'm going to mention it, even though I don't like mixing contents from one channel to another.) Once everything is fully migrated to Fedora Linux, I will format the SSD that contains Windows and pass it on to my mom, cousin or to a relative of ours. But that will be a possible future.
Alright, let's get down to business. I'm going to share you the images of the Nieuport 28.
I concluded the Nieuport 28 these days. The latest thing I added to the French biplane are the dust, Weathering, Metal, Bump and Specular textures. In addition, I added the number 1 on the wings and fuselage to conclude Rickenbacker's Nieuport 28. I plan to make the texture for the French version, as well the American version for the SPAD S.XIII.
The biplane is rigged and is now available at ArtStation and Sketchfab. Here's the link to its 3D model:
After the Nieuport 28, the upcoming WWI planes I have in mind are:
* Fokker D.VII and E.III;
* Albatros D.V;
* Nieuport 17 and 10;
* Gotha G.V; and
* Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI.
For the time being, I'll focus on my WW2 planes, tanks, vehicles and firearms.
Speaking in WW2 planes, I started a new one these days. I know. My habit of starting new projects projects spoke louder, as usual.
The new project I started is the Japanese Mitsubishi J2M 'Raiden', known by the Allies as 'Jack'. It's a Japanese air fighter designed by Jiro Horikoshi (father of the A5M 'Claude' and the iconic A6M 'Zero') for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force during the Second World War as a land-based short-range interceptor. As always, I'll leave the plane's story down below.
The Mitsubishi J2M 'Raiden' (雷電, "Lightning Bolt") or Jack by Allied pilots is a Japanese naval air interceptor designed by Jiro Horikoshi (the creator of the famous A6M 'Zero') during WW2. It was to be a strictly local-defense interceptor, intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids, and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuverability. The J2M had a sleek but stubby design and was powered by the powerful Mitsubishi Kasei radial engine. Difficulties were met related to its engine, cooling system and undercarriage made Horikoshi to delay its introduction after a series of modifications, highlighting the removal of the supercharger - reducing its flight performance at high altitude. In order to take down enemy fighters and bombers, four 20 mm cannons (two Type 99 Mark 1 and two Type 99 Mark 2) were added to the wings with two at each wing. The first few produced J2M2s were delivered to the development units in December 1942 but severe problems were encountered with the engines. Trials and improvements took almost a year and the first batch of the serial built J2M2 Model 11 was delivered to 381st Kōkūtai in December 1943. Parallel with the J2M2, production of the J2M3 Raiden Model 21 started. The first J2M3s appeared in October 1943 but deliveries to combat units started at the beginning of February 1944. The Raiden made its combat debut in June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Several J2Ms operated from Guam and Saipan and a small number of aircraft were deployed to the Philippines and Japanese bases in Korea. Primarily designed to defend against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber, the J2M was handicapped at high altitude by the lack of a turbocharger. However, its four-cannon armament supplied effective firepower and the use of dive and zoom tactics allowed it to score occasionally. Due to its insufficient numbers and the American switching to night bombing operations in March 1945, the effectiveness was greatly limited. J2Ms took part in one of the final aerial combats of the Second World War when four Raidens, accompanied by eight Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, all belonging to the 302nd Kokutai, intercepted a formation of US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcats from the aircraft-carrier USS Yorktown during the morning of August 15 1945 over the Kanto Plain. Shortly before the end of WW2, production ended with 621 units built. Some J2Ms were tested by the British and the Americans with 92 octane fuel plus methanol - achieving a speed of 407 mph (655 km/h) at 17,400 ft (5,300 m) for the J2M2 and a speed of 671 km/h (417 mph) at 4,980 m (16,600 ft) for the J2M3.
Initially, I had plans to start the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate or Ki-44 Shoki. Still, I found the J2M an interesting aircraft to make. Funny thing, I often call the Japanese aircraft as Chubby Boy due to its design. (lol) Jokes aside, let me show you the images.
The model selected is the J2M3. I started working on the fuselage, rudder and propeller spinner while following the blueprints. Unlike my previous projects, I tried cloning the main components with Alt + D instead of Shift + D. The idea is to work on a model - reflecting the changes to the other model while following several blueprints.
The propeller has been imported from the A6M Zero / Ki-43 Hayabusa - with a new texture I made for it. The antenna mast was made from scratch as well.
The following renders, the aircraft received a new pair of wings.
In addition to the wings, the J2M3 Raiden received a new elevator, armaments and wheels for the retractable undercarriage. Unlike my previous projects, the wheels and cannons didn't receive the Subdivision Surface. The idea is to reduce a considerable number of vertices through that modifier. Instead, I'm going to be a little bit efficiently. Another component included is the stern light.
The wing tips has been concluded in relation to the previous renders. As usual, making the tips are quite tricky, but it paid off. I tried to make the wing root on the trailing edge and adjust it. But that will be shown in a future Blog.
Meanwhile, I've been working on the canopy framing. So far, it's looking good. The next components to make are the landing gear and armored framing, the forward canopy framing, the wings navigation light, the engine exhaustion outlets, the aerial attachments, the Pitot tube, the roundels and a nice texture.
Well, that's it for now my friends. I hope you like this Blog. Let us hope this year bring us new content and something different from the usual. In case I have some spare time to enjoy, I'll be working on other things aside from Blender projects and my personal things. Until the time comes, you will be surprised to see them. See you next time.
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