Designed to incredibly difficult 1938 Navy spec, G4M was Japanese Navy's premier heavy bomber in WWII; insistence on great range of 2000 nm with full bomb load (2205 lb) made weight saving take priority over defense, and aircraft highly vulnerable and not very popular. Wing was same Mitsubishi 118 section as Zero-Sen and boldly designed as internal fuel tank to accommodate no less that 1100 gals. Company kept recommending 4 engines but overruled by Navy. During initial flight tests, more than 1 year and 30 aircraft wasted in trying to make design into long-range G6M bomber escort with crew of 7 and 5 guns including 4 20mm cannon and 1 7.7mm machine gun. Proved too slow even after bombers had dropped loads. Eventually, G4M1 readied for service as bomber and flew first missions in South East China May 41. More than 250 operated in Philippines and Malayan campaigns, but after Solomons battle Aug 42, become apparent that, once intercepted and hit, unprotected bomber went up like a torch (hence Allied nickname of "one-shot lighter"). Highlighted by loss of ADM Isoruku Yamomoto in G4M1 over Bouganville 18 April 43. G4M2 had more power, (1800 hp Kasei 21s), more guns and fuel, and laminar airfoil. With G4M3 series, better protection offered but fuel load reduced to 968 gals (from 1100). G4M1 and G4M2 had range of 3250 nm, and G4M3 had range of 2340 nm. G4M1 sank British warship Prince of Wales 1941. Only 60 model 34s built, and they appeared in combat at end 43. Bettys also configured to carry Kugisho Ohka, a 1-man suicide aircraft, and release it at point from which it could attack designated target. Betty carried Japanese surrender delegation at war's end. Span 82 ft; length 65 ft 7 in; height 19 ft 8 in; weight 17,990 lbs empty, 27, 558 lbs gross; top speed 272 mph @ 15,090 ft.
Unfortunately the museum only has the nose section and the tail cone of this aircraft.