Sword 72144 Mitsubishi G4M-1 Model 11 "Betty"

Mitsubishi G4M Hamaki (Japanese cigar) is a Japanese, twin-engine, long-range bomber and torpedo plane operating from land with a metal structure from the Second World War. The allied nickname for this plane is "Betty". The flight of the prototype took place in October 1939, and the entry into the line units took place in 1941. During the course of the war, five versions of the aircraft were created: G4M1 Model 11, G4M2 Model 22, G4M2a Model 24, G4M3 Model 34 and G6M1. The versions G4M1 and G4M2a were the most widely produced. The mentioned versions differed from each other, among others. power units, on-board weapons and, from the G4M3 version, self-sealing fuel tanks. The most unusual development version was the G4M2e, which was adapted to the drops of Ohk's MXY-7 pilot "suicide" flying bomb. The G4M of all versions served in the Pacific throughout the conflict. Airplanes of this type took part min. in the sinking of the battleships HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, in the fighting in the Philippines and in New Guinea, and very intensively used in the Battle of Gudalcanal. From 1943, their effectiveness decreased, which was caused by the introduction by the Americans of new fighters, min. F-6 and P-47. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto died on board such a plane on April 18, 1943. Technical data (version G4M1): length: 19.97m, wingspan: 24.89m, height: 4.9m, maximum speed: 428km / h, rate of climb: 9.17m / s, maximum range: 2850km, maximum ceiling 8500m , armament: fixed - 4 type 92 machine guns, 7.7mm and one cannon, type 99, 20mm, suspended - up to 858 kg of bombs, or a torpedo of such weight.