Mitsubishi G4M

The Mitsubishi G4M (一式陸上攻撃機:Type 1 land-based attack aircraft; Allied reporting name Betty) was a twin-engined, land-based bomber aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The bomber is nicknamed the Betty by the American military. The American Allies gave boys' names to Japanese fighters and float planes, and girls' names to Japanese bombers and recon planes. Image File history File linksMetadata G4MBetty. ... Image File history File linksMetadata G4MBetty. ... Mitsubishi Logo The Mitsubishi Group ), Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies, all refer to a large grouping of independently operated Japanese companies which share the Mitsubishi brand name. ... A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II...

It had exceptional range and high-speed at the time of its introduction. However, it was most known for its notoriously under protected fuel tanks that earned the name "one-shot lighter" from Allied pilots. This was due to the fact that on many occasions, it was used for low altitude torpedo attacks that greatly diminished its advantages. Its relatively large size made it a large target to shoot and the simple approach vector meant an easy interception. When used for middle to high altitude bombing against a stationary target like a supply depot or an airfield, it was another matter entirely. Using its long range and high speed, it would appear from any direction and be gone before fighters could intercept them. Near the end of the war it was used as a kamikaze platform, and was the carrier aircraft for the Ohka kamikaze aircraft. Ohka at the Yasukuni Shrine The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (桜花 cherry blossom) was a purpose-built kamikaze aircraft employed by Japan towards the end of World War II. The US gave the aircraft the Japanese name Baka (fool). It was a small flying bomb that was carried underneath a Mitsubishi...

The Betty were famous for being part of the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse with the older Japanese bomber the Mitsubishi G3M "Nells." The Prince of Wales and the Repulse are the first two battleships ever to be sunk exclusively by air attack while at sea during war. The Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse was a World War II naval engagement which illustrated the effectiveness of aerial attacks against naval forces that were not protected by air cover and the resulting importance of including an aircraft carrier in any major fleet action. ... Mitsubishi G3M -- An Japanese bomber aircraft used by the Japanese during World War Two mostly against the Chinese. ...

Probably the best-known incident involving a G4M during the war was the interception of the aircraft carrying IJN Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto by American P-38 Lightnings on April 18, 1943. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... P-38 Lightning The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was one of the most important American fighters of the Second World War. ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ...

Versions

• G4M1 Prototypes: Japanese Navy land Based Bomber Type 1. Two prototypes built.
• G4M1 Japanese Navy Land Attack Bomber type 1, Model 11. first bomber model of series.
• G4M1 Model 12: Mitsubishi MK4E Kasei 1,530 hp (1,140 kW) engines. Several fuselage modifications.
• G4M2 Model 22: G4M1 with different engines, modified weapon load, laminar flux wings.
• G4M2 Model 22A: very similar to previous model. Armed with two type 99 20 mm cannons replacing the 7.7 mm machine guns in the lateral positions.
• G4M2 Model 22B: Armed with four type 99 20 mm cannons.

(Total production of G4M2 and Models 22A-B: 350)

• G4M2a Model 24a: modified Model 22, MK4T Kasei 25 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) engine, with bulged bomb bay doors for larger bomb capacity.
• G4M2a Model 24a/b: armament similar to model 22A/B respectively.
• G4M2a Model 24c: modified 24b, with one type 2 13 mm machine gun mounted in front nose cabin.

(Total production of G4M2a, Models 24A, 24B and 24C: 790)

• G4M2b Model 25: one G4M2a modified to MK4T-B Kasei 25b 1,825 hp (1,360 kW) engines. Only experimental.
• G4M2c Model 26: two G4M2a modified to MK4T-B Ru Kasei 25b 1,825 hp (1,360 kW) engines with Turbo compressors.
• G4M2d Model 27: one G4M2 modified to MK4V Kasei 27 1,795 hp (1,340 kW) engines.
• G4M2e Model 24J: Special version for the transport of the suicide bomb plane Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-7 "Ohka" (Baka) Model 11, conversions of G4M2a Models 24B and 24C.
• G4M3 Model 34: redesigned G4M2. Added self-sealing fuel tanks. Improved armor protection. Redesigned wings and tail plane. Armed with two Type 92 7.7 mm machine guns in nose cabin and in both side positions, and one type 99 model 1 20 mm cannon in dorsal turret and tail. Changed maximum capacity of 1,000 kg of bombs or one 800 kg torpedo.
• G4M3a Model 34A: transport and antisubmarine version with modified armament. Only experimental.
• G4M3 Model 36: Prototype. Two G4M2 Model 34 modified to Mitsubishi MK4-T Kasei 25b Ru 1,825 hp (1,360 kW) engines.
• G6M1 Japanese Navy Long Range Heavy Fighter Type 1: initial model of the series, armed with type 99 20 mm cannons between each side of fuselage and in tail, one 7.7 mm machine gun in nose cabin and one 30 mm cannon in front ventral position. Thirty built.
• G6M1-K Trainer, Japanese Navy type 1: converted G6M1s.
• G6M1-L2 Transport Type 1, Japanese Navy: modified as transports.

(Total production of G6M1-K and derived types: 1,200) Ohka at the Yasukuni Shrine The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (桜花 cherry blossom) was a purpose-built kamikaze aircraft employed by Japan towards the end of World War II. The US gave the aircraft the Japanese name Baka (fool). It was a small flying bomb that was carried underneath a Mitsubishi... Self-sealing fuel tanks are an aviation technology developed during World War II, when it quickly became apparent that fighter aircraft lacked adequate protection. ...

Total production of all versions: 2,446 examples.

Specifications (Mitsubishi G4M Type 22)

General characteristics

• Crew: 7: pilot, co-pilot, navigator/bombardier, radio operator/gunner, three gunners
• Length: 19.6 m (64 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 24.9 m (81 ft 8 in)
• Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: ()
• Empty weight: ()
• Powerplant: 2× Mitsubishi Kasei 25 radial engines, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 437 km/h (270 mph)
• Range: 4,725 km (2,935 mi)
• Service ceiling: m (ft)

Armament

• Guns: 2x 20 mm cannons, 4x 7.7 mm machine guns
• Bombs: 800 kg (1,765 kg) of bombs or torpedoes

Airbus A380 An aircraft is any machine capable of atmospheric flight. ... The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... The Mitsubishi Kasei (火星, Mars) was a two-row, 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine used in Japanese aircraft during World War II. Categories: Aircraft stubs | Aircraft piston engines ... Radial engine of a biplane. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Service Ceiling—The maximum density altitude where the best rate-of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet-per-minute climb at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ...

References

• Horodyski, Joseph M. “British Gamble In Asian Waters.” Military Heritage. December 2001. Volume 3, No. 3: 68-77 (sinking of the British battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse by Japanese on 10 December 1941 upon U.S. entry into World War Two).

Military Heritage is a glossy, bi-monthly history magazine published by Sovereign Media. ...

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