Mitsubishi G4M Betty

Mitsubishi G4M Betty

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The Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty” was a twin engine Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber designed for high-speed long-range bombing operations. It was the most famous Japanese bomber and it was built in larger numbers than any other Japanese bomber. However, like most other Japanese aircraft, it lacked self-sealing tanks and armor protection for the pilot making it very vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire including small arms. It was flown in action from Australia to the Aleutians.

Its main advantage was its high speed that could be used at high or medium altitude bombing missions. It was also used for low-level torpedo attacks but its venerability negated any advantages during these types of missions.

It carried a crew of seven and it was powered by two, 1,530 hp (1,140 kW) Kasei, 14 cylinder radial engines. It had a top speed of 265 mph and a service ceiling of almost 28,000 feet. Its range exceeded 3,000 miles. 2,435 GM4s produced between 1941 and 1945.

Armament consisted of one 20 mm auto cannon in the tail and four 7.7 mm machine guns with two machine guns in the nose and one each in side blisters. The internal bomb load was of 2,000 lbs. or it could carry a 1,764 anti-ship torpedo in place of the traditional bomb load.

Its most notable missions were the sinking of the HMS Prince Of Wales and HMS Repulse off the coast of British Malaya on December 10, 1941 and a GM41 was attacked by P-38s carrying Yamamoto in which he was killed.

© The Aviation History On-line Museum 2014 All rights reserved.


Mitsubishi G4M Betty
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The Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty” was a twin engine Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber designed for high-speed long-range bombing operations. It was the most famous Japanese bomber and it was built in larger numbers than any other Japanese bomber. However, like most other Japanese aircraft, it lacked self-sealing tanks and armor protection for the pilot making it very vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire including small arms. It was flown in action from Australia to the Aleutians. Its main advantage was its high speed that could be used at high or medium altitude bombing missions. It was also used for low-level torpedo attacks but its venerability negated any advantages during these types of missions. It carried a crew of seven and it was powered by two, 1,530 hp (1,140 kW) Kasei, 14 cylinder radial engines. It had a top speed of 265 mph and a service ceiling of almost 28,000 feet. Its range exceeded 3,000 miles. 2,435 GM4s produced between 1941 and 1945. Armament consisted of one 20 mm auto cannon in the tail and four 7.7 mm machine guns with two machine guns in the nose and one each in side blisters. The internal bomb load was of 2,000 lbs. or it could carry a 1,764 anti-ship torpedo in place of the traditional bomb load. Its most notable missions were the sinking of the HMS Prince Of Wales and HMS Repulse off the coast of British Malaya on December 10, 1941 and a GM41 was attacked by P-38s carrying Yamamoto in which he was killed.
© The Aviation History On-line Museum 2014 All rights reserved.