G4M 'Betty'
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1939 · bomber
The Mitsubishi G4M was the Imperial Japanese Navy's principal land-based medium bomber, a long-range machine nicknamed 'Betty' by the Allies.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Long, rounded 'cigar'-shaped fuselage with extensive nose glazing |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Long, rounded 'cigar'-shaped fuselage with extensive nose glazing
- Twin radial engines on broad rounded wings
- Prominent tail-gun position in a glazed rear blister
The portly cigar fuselage, mid-set rounded wings and glazed tail position identify it among Japanese bombers.
Specifications
- The G4M 'Betty' has a length of 19.97 m (66 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.89 m (82 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 428 km/h (266 mph).
- Typical crew: 7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1939, the G4M achieved its long range by sacrificing armour and self-sealing tanks, leaving it prone to catching fire when hit. Japanese crews called it the cigar for its fat, rounded fuselage.
Variants
Successive models uprated the Kasei radial engines and defensive armament. A specialised version carried the Ohka piloted rocket bomb late in the war.
Where you'll see it
The G4M operated across the Pacific and China theatres and famously sank the Royal Navy battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse in December 1941, a naval rather than RAF action. It did not serve with the RAF and none is preserved in Britain.
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