Mitsubishi G3M
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The Mitsubishi G3M (九六式陸上攻撃機:Type 96 land-based attack aircraft; Allied reporting name Nell) was a Japanese bomber aircraft used during World War II, mostly against the Chinese.
The G3M flew for first time in 1935 in combat on the Chinese front,departing from Bases in Formosa and Kyushu and flying over the East China Sea. Thus it was the first transoceanic bomber in air war history. Later, from bases in Occupied Chinese lands, it took part in the Chinese-Japanese Conflict,until the middle of 1941 when war erupted in the Pacific. Although antiquated, 200 first line units were operated in the Central Pacific and the Philippines. "Nells" provided important support during the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse (Force Z) near the Malaya coasts. Since 1943,the majority of "Nells" served as glider tugs, aircrew and paratroops training and transports.
The bomber has a crew of five and had its original flight in July 1935. The aircraft was armed with three 7.7mm machine guns. Maximum speed was 188 knots and had a range of over 2,200 miles. The G3M was also designed to carry an 800-kg torpedo for ship attacks.
The G3M was famous for being part of the Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse with the more advanced Mitsubishi G4M "Betty", on 10 December 1941 , upon United States entry into World War II. The Prince of Wales and the Repulse are the first two battleships ships ever to be sunk exclusively by air attack while at sea during war.
Later the Nakajima Company redesigned the G3M into the improved G3M3 (Model 23) with more powerful engines and increased fuel capacity. This version was only manufactured by Nakajima, being the most rapidly produced in wartime. This version entered into service in 1941, and was maintained in service for two years, and later used in 1943 alongside the G3M2s for long range maritime reconnaissance with radar due to its excellent long range performance. Other G3M derivations were the transports G3M-L and L3Y, used for transporting high ranking officers and VIPs between metropolitan islands,occupied territoires and combat fronts until the end of the conflict.
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[edit] Versions
- Ka-15 (prototype):Engines Hiro Type 91 of 750 hp,Mitsubishi Kinsei 2 of 830 hp,Mitsubishi Kinsei 3 of 910 hp.clear cristal prow or without this,21
- G3M1 Land-based attack bomber Navy Type 96,Model 11;first serie model.cabin of major extension with revised cover.somes with fixed pass propeller,34.
- G3M1a/c Prototypes,re-denomined.engines Hiro Type 91 or Mitsubishi Kinsei and Cristal prow,respectivelly.
- G3M1-L Armed or unarmed military transport version.Engines Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 of 1.075 hp.G3M1 reconverted.
- G3M2 Model 21 more powerful engines and major fuel capacity,dorsal turret.constructed by Mitsubishi 343.G3M2 and G3M3 manufactured by Nakajima, 412.
- G3M2 Model 32,model 21 modified.upper and belly turrets substituted for one upper great cristal turret.cristal side positions,238.
- G3M3 Model 23 model 22 with best performances.more powerful engines,major fuel capacity amongst more long range reach.constructed by only Nakajima
- L3Y1 Transport Navy Type 96,Model 11.advanced conversion of G3M1 armed transport.
- L3Y2 Transport Navy Type 96 Model 12.modification of G3M2 with Mitsubishi Kinsei Engines.
Total Production
- 1.048 examples (all versions)
[edit] Performance
- Mitsubishi G3M2
- Type:Land Based Light Bomber
- Engine: two Mitsubishi Kinsei 41,42,45 of 1.075 hp
- Maximum velocity at 4,200 m: 375 km/h
- Cruiser velocity: 280 km/h
- Maximum range: 4.400 km
- time at: 3.000 m,8 min,19 seg
- service ceiling: 9.200 m
[edit] Weight
- void: 4.965 kg
- loaded: 8.000 kg
[edit] Dimensions
- wing span: 25,0 m
- length: 16,45 m
- height: 3,68 m
- wing surface: 75,0 m2
[edit] Weapons
- 1 x type 99 20mm Cannon in upper turret,1 x type 92 7.7 mm MG in each position (both sides, retractile belly turret) and 1 x type 92 7.7 mm MG in prowl
- Maximum load of bombs: 800 kg or 1 Torpedo
- Crew: 7
- In service: Japan
[edit] References
- Horodyski, Joseph M. “British Gamble In Asian Waters.” Military Heritage. December 2001. Volume 3, No. 3: 68-77 (sinking of the British battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse by Japanese on 10 December 1941 upon U.S. entry into World War Two).
