Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden 21 (Thunderbolt)

Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden 21 (Thunderbolt)

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In an effort to gather intelligence about Japanese equipment the Allies in the Pacific theatre formed Technical Air Intelligence Units, the first in Australia was a USAAF/US Navy/RAAF organization set up early 1943. In the summer of 1944 the US Navy contingent moved to NAS Anacosta, Washington, D.C., USA, the USAAF/RAAF contingent was reformed to TAIU-SWPA (Technical Air Intelligence Unit - Southwest Pacific Area), moving to the Philippines in early 1945, and after the end of the war to Japan.

This aircraft was captured at Dewey Boulevard Strip, Manilla, Philippines, on February 20, 1945. It was tested by the TAIU-SWPA with the test serial S 12 and USAAF markings applied. It was destroyed by an errant bomber that plowed into it at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines.


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In an effort to gather intelligence about Japanese equipment the Allies in the Pacific theatre formed Technical Air Intelligence Units, the first in Australia was a USAAF/US Navy/RAAF organization set up early 1943. In the summer of 1944 the US Navy contingent moved to NAS Anacosta, Washington, D.C., USA, the USAAF/RAAF contingent was reformed to TAIU-SWPA (Technical Air Intelligence Unit - Southwest Pacific Area), moving to the Philippines in early 1945, and after the end of the war to Japan. This aircraft was captured at Dewey Boulevard Strip, Manilla, Philippines, on February 20, 1945. It was tested by the TAIU-SWPA with the test serial S 12 and USAAF markings applied. It was destroyed by an errant bomber that plowed into it at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines.