Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Japan
Type: Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi G4M Aircraft Overview
The Mitsubishi G4M, commonly known by its Allied codename “Betty,” was a twin-engine bomber aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) during World War II. Designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the G4M was known for its long range, high speed, and significant payload capacity, making it one of the most formidable bombers of its time.
The G4M first flew in 1939 and entered service with the IJNAS in 1941. It was designed as a land-based medium bomber capable of carrying out long-range maritime strike missions against Allied targets in the Pacific theater. The aircraft featured a sleek, streamlined design with a narrow fuselage and a high aspect ratio wing, which contributed to its impressive performance characteristics.
Powered by twin Mitsubishi MK4P “Kasei” radial engines, the G4M had a maximum speed of around 265 mph (426 km/h) and a range of over 3,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) with a maximum bomb load. Its substantial range allowed it to conduct raids on distant targets such as Hawaii, Australia, and India, posing a significant threat to Allied forces across the Pacific.
The G4M was heavily armed for its time, typically carrying a defensive armament of 7.7mm machine guns in various positions throughout the aircraft, including nose, dorsal, ventral, and tail gun positions. Later variants were equipped with 20mm cannons for additional firepower.
Despite its impressive performance and capabilities, the G4M earned a notorious reputation among Allied forces for its vulnerability to enemy fighter interception and anti-aircraft fire. Its light construction and lack of adequate defensive armor made it susceptible to damage, earning it the nickname “Flying Cigar” among Allied pilots.
The G4M was used extensively by the Japanese Navy in various theaters of the Pacific War, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, and the campaigns in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. It also played a role in kamikaze operations during the latter stages of the war, where it was used as a transport aircraft for suicide missions.
Despite its vulnerabilities, the Mitsubishi G4M Betty remains a significant symbol of Japanese air power during World War II and is remembered for its role in some of the most iconic battles and operations of the Pacific theater.
Mitsubishi G4M1 Model 11 Specifications
- Crew: 7 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator/bombardier/nose gunner, captain/top turret gunner, radio operator/waist gunner, engine mechanic/waist gunner, tail gunner)
- Length: 19.97 m (65 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 24.89 m (81 ft 8 in)
- Height: 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in) in rigging position
- Wing area: 78.125 m2 (840.93 sq ft)
- Airfoil: root: MAC118 mod (12.5%); tip:MAC118 mod (10%)
- Empty weight: 6,741 kg (14,861 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,500 kg (20,944 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 12,860 kg (28,351 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 11 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,140 kW (1,530 hp) each for take-off. 1,050 kW (1,410 hp) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft). 1,000 kW (1,340 hp) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard licensed Sumitomo constant speed variable-pitch
Mitsubishi G4M1 Model 11 Performance
- Maximum speed: 428 km/h (266 mph, 231 kn) at 4,200 m (13,800 ft)
- Cruise speed: 315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
- Stall speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Range: 2,852 km (1,772 mi, 1,540 nmi)
- Ferry range: 5,040 km (3,130 mi, 2,720 nmi)
- Rate of climb: 9.17 m/s (1,805 ft/min)
Mitsubishi G4M1 Model 11 Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm Type 99 cannon (tail turret), 4× 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun (nose turret ×1, waist positions ×2, top turret ×1)
- Bombs: 1× 858 kg (1,892 lb) Type 91 Kai-3 (improved model 3) aerial torpedo or 1× 800 kg (1,764 lb) bomb or 4× 250 kg (551 lb) bombs or 1x 1200 kg (2,645 lb) Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka suicide bomb.
