Mitsubishi G4M (Type 1) "Betty" Medium Bomber

The Mitsubishi G4M (Type 1 - Allied Reporting Name - Betty) was the successor to the earlier G3M and was a more advanced aircraft. First flown on 23rd October 1939, it entered service in June 1941. It was similar in performance to the German Junkers 88 & Heinkel 111, the North American B-25 Mitchell & the Martin B-26 Marauder. Unfortunately as with other Japanese designs of the time, it sacrificed protection for speed & range, earning the nicknames "Flying Zippo", "Flying Cigar" & "Type 1 Lighter" by Allied & Japanese aircrews. It could however sustain a fair amount of damage on a mission and still get back to base. The "Betty" was prominent in attacks on allied shipping from late 1941 until early 1944. By then the Allies could count on ever increasing numbers of superior fighter aircraft which were more than a match for the "Betty" or any escorting Japanese fighters. It's most notable early success was the attack on HMS Prince of Wales & HMS Repulse alongside the G3M's, which attacked from High Level. The G4M's used in this attack were all Torpedo Bombers and attacked with devastating effect at Low Level.

Betty's also took part in raids on the Northern Australian Port of Darwin, causing severe damage to the Naval Base there and putting it out of action for a while.

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was flying over Bougainville in the Solomon Islands on 18th April 1943 in a "Betty" whilst on an inspection tour when he was ambushed by P-38 Lightning's flying from Guadalcanal. His aircraft was shot down and he was killed.

Later in the war the G4M was used as a suicide "Kamikaze" launch platform for the Yokosuka MXY-7 "Okha" Rocket powered bomb with a human pilot. Although not many successes were recorded due to the vulnerability of the mother aircraft and many were lost before launching their "Okha" bombs whilst still some distance from the target.

2 demilitarized Betty's carried the first Japanese delegation to offer surrender terms to Ie Shima on their way to Manila, the Capital of the Phillipines in August 1945


G4M (Type 1) "Betty" Spec's

Crew : 7

Powerplant : 2 x Mitsubishi Kasei 25 Radial Engines of 1850 h.p. each

Max Speed : 270 mph

Ceiling : 29,350 feet

Range : 2,935 Miles

Armament

2 x 20mm Type 99 cannon (Tail), 4 x Type 92 7.7mm Machine Guns (Various Positions)

Bombload - Up to 1000 kg of Bombs or a single Type 91 Torpedo

Number produced : 2,435





Left to Right - G4M's attacking Darwin, Colour shot of a G4M in flight & G4M2e launching an MXY-7 "Okha" manned Rocket Bomb

 

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Japanese film showing G4M's in operation.