Japan's Mitsubishi G3M bomber, Navy Type 96
Allied name for bomber: Nell, for transport: Tina

Photos

Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" bomber:	Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" bomber:	Mitsubishi G3M1, "Nell" bomber:	Mitsubishi G3M2, "Nell" bomber:
Mitsubishi OB-96-2 Soyokaze (freight carrier): Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Mitsubishi OB-96-2 Soyokaze (freight carrier): Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook
Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" bomber:

Design

Admiral Irosoku Yamamoto recommended the development of a long range medium bomber to support the Imperial Japanese Navy when he was the chief of the Technical Division of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics in 1933.^1,2 In the mid 1930s the Mitsubishi G3M was developed.²

Sueo Honjo, Tomio Kubo, and Nobuhiko Kusabake designed the Ka-15 prototype.²

Prototype

The first Ka-15 prototype flew in April 1934² / July 1935.¹

Production

Mitsubishi stopped production in 1941 to focus on the G4M.¹ Nakajima continued production until 1943.¹

• Mitsubishi Ka-15: 21^1,2
• Mitsubishi G3M1: 34^1,2
• Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 21: 343²
• Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22: ~400²
• Mitsubishi G3M2 and Mitsubishi G3M3: 993¹
• Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23:
  • Manufacturer: Nakajima¹
  • Production: 1941²
• Total: 1,048^1,2
  • Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.^1,2, Nakajima¹
  • Production: 1936 - 1943²
• Mitsubishi G3M2 conversion: 20²
  • Conversion: 1938²

Variants

• Mitsubishi Ka-15: Prototype.^1,2 First models used two Hiro 91 inline engines (750 HP).¹ Later models used the Mitsubishi Kinsei radial engines.¹ First appeared in June 1935.²
• Mitsubishi G3M1 Model 11: First flew in the middle of 1936.¹
• Mitsubishi G3M2: Used Kinsei engine.²
• Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 21: First flew in 1937.¹ Increased fuel capacity.¹
• Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22: First flew in 1939.¹ Increased armament.¹
• Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23: First flew in 1941.¹ Increased fuel capacity.¹
• Mitsubishi L3Y-1: Transport.¹ Conversion of G3M1.¹ Allied code name: Tina.¹
• Mitsubishi L3Y-2: Transport.¹ Conversion of G3M2.¹ Allied code name: Tina.¹ Used by Nippon Koku K.K. and Dai Nippon Koku K.K. airlines.²
• Mitsubishi OB-92-2: Long range heavy bomber.³

Usage

Sino-Japanese War

Starting in 1937 the G3Ms were used in the Sino-Japanese war.¹

Around the World

From August 26 to October 20, 1939, a L3Y-2 flew 33,000 miles in 194 hours around the world.²

Pacific War

By December 1941 there were approximately 250 G3Ms in service.¹ During the first two years of the Pacific War, the G3M was the main medium bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy.¹

HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales

The G3M2s played a major part in the sinking, off of Malaya on December 10, 1941, of the HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales.^1,2

Secondary Roles

After 1942 the G3M was primarily relegated to secondary roles such as transport, training, and glider towing.¹ Some had search radar added and were used as long range maritime patrol bombers.¹

Specifications