Mitsubishi G3M

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Mitsubishi G3M
Type	Light bomber
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi
Maiden flight	July 1935
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built	1,048

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 territories, 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 Malayan coast. From 1943, the majority of "Nells" served as glider tugs, aircrew and paratroop trainers and transports.

The bomber had a crew of five, and had its first 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 taking part of the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse with the more advanced Mitsubishi G4M "Betty", on 10 December 1941. The Prince of Wales and the Repulse were the first two battleships ships ever 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 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 territories and combat fronts until the end of the war.

[edit] Versions

• Ka-15 (prototype): With either Hiro Type 91 (750 hp), Mitsubishi Kinsei 2 (830 hp), or Mitsubishi Kinsei 3 (910 hp) engines. Glass or solid nose. 21 built.
  • G3M1a/c Re-designated prototypes. Hiro Type 91 or Mitsubishi Kinsei engines, glass nose.
• G3M1 land-based attack bomber Navy Type 96, Model 11; first series model. Major extension of the cabin with a revised cover. Some with fixed pitch propeller. 34 built.
  • G3M1-L. G3M1 converted into a armed or unarmed military transport version. Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 (1,075 hp) engine.
• G3M2 Model 21. More powerful engines and increased fuel capacity, dorsal turret. 343 constructed by Mitsubishi. 412 G3M2 and G3M3 manufactured by Nakajima.
• G3M2 Model 22. Upper and belly turrets substituted for one upper turret. Glass side positions. 238 built.
• G3M3 Model 23. More powerful engines and increased fuel capacity for longer range. Constructed by 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.

[edit] Specifications (Mitsubishi G3M2)

General characteristics

• Crew: 7
• Length: 16.45 m ()
• Wingspan: 25 m ()
• Height: 3.68 m ()
• Wing area: 75 m² ()
• Empty weight: 4,965 kg ()
• Loaded weight: 8,000 kg ()
• Powerplant: 2× Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 , 1,075 hp () each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 375 km/h
• Cruise speed: 280 km/h
• Range: 4,400 km ()
• Service ceiling: 9,200 m ()
• Rate of climb: 360 m/min ()

Armament

• Guns
  • 1 x Type 99 20mm cannon in upper turret
  • 4 x Type 92 7.7 mm machine gun in nose, left and right side positions, and belly turret.
• Bombs
  • 800 kg of bombs or 1 torpedo

[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).