Mitsubishi G4M

Mitsubishi G4M
Country	Japan
Role	Medium bomber/Torpedo bomber
First flight	23 October 1939
Built	2435

The Mitsubishi G4M was a twin-engine, land-based medium bomber formerly manufactured by the Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. Its official designation is Mitsubishi Navy Type 1 attack bomber (一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Ichishiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikukō) and was commonly referred to by Japanese Navy pilots as Hamaki (葉巻, “cigar”, lit. “leaf roll”) due to the cylindrical shape of its fuselage. The Allied reporting name was “Betty”.

Source: Mitsubishi G4M on Wiki

Mitsubishi G4M
Photographers	Lake Kawaguchi
Localisation	Japan Air Park
Photos	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

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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)
Role	Long-Range Land-Based Bomber / Torpedo Bomber
National Origin	Japan
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
First Flight	October 23, 1939
Service Entry	1941
No. Built	Over 2,400 (all variants)
Crew	7 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator/Bombardier, Radio Operator, 3 Gunners)
Length	19.97 m (65 ft 6 in)
Wingspan	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).