Mitsubishi B4M
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1934 · bomber
The Mitsubishi Ka-12 or B4M was a Japanese carrier-based torpedo bomber of 1934.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.96 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-bay biplane with three crew in open cockpits
- Inverse gull-shaped lower wings with fixed undercarriage
- Mitsubishi 8-Shi radial engine
A single-bay biplane with inverted gull lower wings and a wide-track undercarriage for carrying a single torpedo.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi B4M has a length of 9.96 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.8 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Hajime Matsuhara, it developed the 3MT10 but used a lighter radial engine and metal wings. The first prototype flew in August 1934.
Variants
Two prototypes were built; the second had a new nose fairing and a tailwheel instead of a skid.
Where you'll see it
The wing was inefficiently stiff and the aircraft unstable, so the Navy chose the Yokosuka B4Y instead.
Related aircraft
- Mitsubishi A5M4
- Mitsubishi Ki-18
- Yokosuka B4Y
- Mitsubishi Ki-15
- Aero A.101
- Aichi D1A
- Avions Fairey Fox IIIC
- Bellanca 77-140
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