Mitsubishi G4M

Mitsubishi G4M
País	Japón
Papel	Bombardero medio/Bombardero torpedero
Primer vuelo	23 de octubre de 1939
Construido	2435

el Mitsubishi G4M fue un bombardero medio bimotor con base en tierra fabricado anteriormente por la Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, parte de Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, y operado por la Armada Imperial Japonesa desde 1940 hasta 1945. Su designación oficial es bombardero de ataque Mitsubishi Navy Type 1 (一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Ichishiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikukō) y fue comúnmente referido por los pilotos de la Armada japonesa como Hamaki (葉巻, "cigarro", literalmente "rollo de hoja") debido a la forma cilíndrica de su fuselaje. El nombre de los reporteros aliados era "Betty".

Fuente: Mitsubishi G4M en Wiki

Mitsubishi G4M
Fotógrafos	Lago Kawaguchi
Localización	Parque Aéreo de Japón
Fotos	33

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 01

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 02

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 04

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 03

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 06

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 05

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 07

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 08

Mitsubishi G4M Betty 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Espera, buscando Mitsubishi G4M por ti...

Ver también:

General Characteristics

The Mitsubishi G4M (Allied reporting name: Betty) was a twin-engine land-based attack bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. Designed by Kiro Honjo, its development prioritized extremely long range to meet the vast distances of the Pacific theatre, a requirement that necessitated large fuel tanks and a lightweight airframe. This design decision famously led to a lack of protective armor and self-sealing fuel tanks in the early models, making the aircraft highly vulnerable to enemy fire—earning it the derisive Allied nickname, “The Flying Lighter,” and the Japanese nickname, “Hamaki” (Cigar) for its cylindrical fuselage shape. Despite its fragility, the G4M was responsible for the crucial sinking of the British capital ships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse in 1941.

Property	Typical Value (G4M1 Model 11)
Papel	Long-Range Land-Based Bomber / Torpedo Bomber
National Origin	Japón
Fabricante	Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
First Flight	October 23, 1939
Service Entry	1941
No. Built	Over 2,400 (all variants)
Equipo	7 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator/Bombardier, Radio Operator, 3 Gunners)
Longitud	19.97 m (65 ft 6 in)
Envergadura	24.89 m (81 ft 8 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	12,860 kg (28,351 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: 2 x Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 11 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines (G4M1).
Power Output (Kasei 11): 1,140 kW (1,530 hp) for takeoff.
Maximum Speed (G4M1): 428 km/h (266 mph) at 4,200 m (13,780 ft).
Maximum Speed (G4M2): Approx. 437 km/h (271 mph) at altitude.
Cruise Speed: Approx. 315 km/h (196 mph).
Service Ceiling: 8,500 m (27,890 ft) (G4M1) to 9,700 m (31,820 ft) (G4M3).
Maximum Range (G4M1 – Ferry): Up to 5,040 km (3,130 mi).
Maximum Range (G4M3 – Reduced Range): 4,330 km (2,690 mi) (due to armor/self-sealing tanks).

Armament and Variants

Defensive Armament (G4M1):
- 1 x 20 mm Type 99 cannon in the tail turret.
- 4 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine guns (one in the nose, one in the dorsal turret, two in waist positions).
Offensive Load: Carried internally in a bomb bay:
- One 858 kg (1,892 lb) Type 91 aerial torpedo, or
- Up to 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs (e.g., four 250 kg bombs).
Key Variants:
- G4M1 (Model 11): Initial production model, optimized for range.
- G4M2 (Model 22): Uprated Kasei 21 engines, four-bladed propellers, improved dorsal turret, and larger wings for better high-altitude performance.
- G4M3 (Model 34): Late-war attempt to improve survivability by adding armor and self-sealing fuel tanks, resulting in a significant reduction in fuel capacity and range.
- G4M2e (Model 24J): Modified to carry and launch the MXY7 Ohka piloted rocket missile (suicide bomb).