Japan's Mitsubishi G4M bomber, Flying Cigar
Allied code name: Betty
Photos
Mitsubishi G4M bomber with a Baka under the fuselage: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M Type 1 bomber with a Baka under the fuselage: |
Mitsubishi G4M bombers surrounding a Nakajima J1N: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber carrying a Baka under the fuselage: |
Mitsubishi Type 01 bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Mitsubishi Type 01 bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Mitsubishi G4Ms used in the surrender. |
Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber: |
Design
The Mitsubishi G4M was designed by Kiro Honjo in 1937 to meet a requirement for a long range land bomber for the Imperial Japanese Navy.1,2,4 It was to fly at 10,000' at 250 mph and have a range of 2,300 miles while carrying a torpedo.4
To save weight for the addition of fuel, the G4M had no armor to protect it's fuel tanks.3
Cockpit
The pilots sat next to each other in the cockpit and had an escape hatch in the roof.1 The navigator was below and to the rear of them.1
Prototype
The Mitsubishi G4M1 prototype was first flown on October 23, 1939.1,2,3,4
The second prototype was able to go 278 mph and fly 3,400 miles.4
Production
Production ended in August 1945.3
- Prototypes: 23
- Mitsubishi G6M1: 303
- Constructed in 19403
- Mitsubishi G4M1: 1,2002,3
- Mitsubishi G4M2: 1,1542,3,4
- Mitsubishi G4M3: 602,3,4
- Total: 2,4463,4
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.4
- Production: September 1939 - August 19454
Variants
- Mitsubishi G6M1: Heavy escort fighter.3,4
- Mitsubishi G6M1-K: Trainer.3 Converted G6M1s.3
- Mitsubishi G6M1-L2: Paratroop transports.3 Converted G6M1s.3
- Mitsubishi G4M1: Prototype.2 Production.3 Deliveries started in April 1941.3
- Mitsubishi G4M2: Increased armament and fuel.2 Used Mitsubishi Kasei radial engines (1,800 HP).2
- Mitsubishi G4M3: Had increased protection for the crew.2
- Mitsubishi G4M3 Model 34: New tail turret.3 Fuselage shorter.3 Dihedral tailplane.3 Protection for crew and fuel.3 First appeared in early 1944.3
- ???: Transport version.1
- ???: Trainer version.1
Usage
The Mitsubishi G4Ms became operational in 1940.1,4
Due to the ease at which the G4Ms blew up, American pilots nicknamed them the "flying cigarette lighter."1,3
Early War
During the first year of World War II the G4M was able to have success against the Allies.3 But soon it was outmatched by the Allied fighters coming to the front lines.3
Prince of Wales and Repulse Sunk
Mitsubishi G4Ms helped in the destruction of the British HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse on December 10, 1941.1,2,4
The End of Admiral Yamamoto
The mastermind behind the early success in World War II of the Japanese was shot down by P-38s while being flown in a Mitsubishi G4M.1,2
G4Ms with Ohka
The very first mission of the G4M with Ohkas attached ended with all the planes being shot down before the Ohkas were released.1
Surrender
The G4Ms were used at the end of the war to carry the surrender delegation to Io Shima on August 19, 1945 (photos).2,3,4
Specifications
| Mitsubishi G4M, Mitsubishi Type 01 |
Mitsubishi G4M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber3 | |
| Crew | 73 | |
| Engine (Type) | Kasei 211 | 2: Mitsubishi Kasei 213 |
| OR | 2: Mitsubishi Kasei 25/25b3 | |
| Cylinders | Radial5 | |
| Cooling | Air5 | |
| Net HP | 21: 1,800 each3 25/25b: 1,825 each3 |
|
| Propeller blades | ||
| Fuel capacity - wings | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 82' 0.25"3 25 m3 |
82' 0.25"3 25 m3 |
| Length | 63' 11.75"3 19.5 m3 |
|
| Height | 19' 8.25"3 6 m3 |
19' 8.25"3 6 m3 |
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | ||
| Loaded | ||
| Performance | ||
| Speed | ||
| Climb | ||
| Service ceiling | ||
| Range | ||
| Armament | ||
| Tail | 20 mm Type 991 60 rounds1 |
|
| Torpedo | 1 or 25 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943
