Mitsubishi G4M facts for kids

The G4M

The Mitsubishi G4M was a bomber aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was called "Betty" by the Allies for it's codename and was known as "Hamaki" ("Cigar") by Japanese Navy pilots.

It was known for its good performance and range, as well as its lightness. It however had almost a complete lack of protection for the crew and had no armor plating or self-sealing fuel tanks. American fighter aircraft took advantage of this during their confrontation of the Pacific War.

Images for kids

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  A Mitsubishi G4M1; with a non-standard roundel - a white square instead of the white circle surrounding the hinomaru.

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  721st Kōkūtai G4M2e bomber carrying an Ohka (image of a plastic model)

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  IJN aviators pressed home a torpedo attack against American ships off Guadalcanal on 8 August 1942, suffering heavy losses. The plane on the left at extreme low-level (approximately five meters) was flown by Jun Takahashi, who was still alive in 2016.

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  Crashed G4M1 floating at Tulagi 8 August 1942

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  Yamamoto's G4M1 in the aftermath of the attack

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  Betty bombers during an air raid over Darwin, Australia.

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  Mid- or late-production G4M1 Model 11s with the propeller spinners and rubber ply beneath the wing fuel tanks.

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  Early production G4M1s of Kanoya Kōkūtai with the original shape tail cones.

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  A captured G4M2

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  The G4M1 on display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Mitsubishi G4M para niños