Mitsubishi G4M

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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.

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.

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 were the first two battleships ever to be sunk exclusively by air attack while at sea during war.

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.

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.

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