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Japan's Mitsubishi G3M bomber1
Navy Type 96
Allied Name: Nell1
Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" bomber:
Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" bomber:
Mitsubishi G3M2, "Nell" bomber:
Design
Admiral Irosoku Yamamoto recommended the development of a long range medium bomber when he was the chief of the Technical Division of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics.1
Prototype
The first Ka-15 prototype flew in July 1935.1
Production
Mitsubishi stopped production in 1941 to focus on the G4M.1 Nakajima continued production until 1943.1
- Ka-15: 211
- G3M1: 341
- G3M2 and G3M3: 9931
- G3M3: produced by Nakajima1
- Total: 1,0481
- Produced by: Mitsubishi1, Nakajima1
Variants
- Ka-15: Prototype.1 First models used two Hiro 91 inline engines (750 HP).1 Later models used the Mitsubishi Kinsei radial engines.1
- G3M1 Model 11: First flew in the middle of 1936.1
- G3M2 Model 21: First flew in 1937.1 Increased fuel capacity.1
- G3M2 Model 22: First flew in 1939.1 Increased armament.1
- G3M3 Model 23: First flew in 1941.1 Increased fuel capacity.1
- L3Y-1: Transport.1 Conversion of G3M1.1 Allied code name: Tina.1
- L3Y-2: Transport.1 Conversion of G3M2.1 Allied code name: Tina.1
Usage
Sino-Japanese War
Starting in 1937 the G3Ms were used in the Sino-Japanese war.1
Pacific War
By December 1941 there were approximately 250 G3Ms in service.1 During the first two years of the Pacific War, the G3M was the main medium bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy.1
HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales
The G3Ms played a major part in the sinking, off of Malaya on December 10, 1941, of the HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales.1
Secondary Roles
After 1942 the G3M was primarily relegated to secondary roles such as transport, training, and glider towing.1 Some had search radar added and were used as long range maritime patrol bombers.1
| Mitsubishi G3M1 | Mitsubishi G3M11 | Mitsubishi G3M21 | Mitsubishi G3M31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber1 | |||
| Crew | 71 | |||
| Engine (Type) | 2: Mitsubishi Kinsei 31 | 2: Mitsubishi Kinsei 411 | 2: Mitsubishi Kinsei 511 | |
| OR | 2: Mitsubishi Kinsei 421 | |||
| OR | 2: Mitsubishi Kinsei 451 | |||
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | |||
| Cooling | ||||
| Net HP | 910 each1 | 1,075 each1 | 1,300 each1 | |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | 3 each1 | 3 each1 | |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 82' 0.25"1 25 m1 |
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| Length | 53' 11.5"1 16.45 m1 |
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| Height | 12' 1"1 3.68 m1 |
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| Wing area | ||||
| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 10,946 lb1 4,965 kg1 |
11,560 lb1 5,244 kg1 |
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| Loaded | 17,637 lb1 8,000 kg1 |
17,637 lb1 8,000 kg1 |
||
| Performance | ||||
| Speed @ 13,715' / 4,180 m |
232 mph1 373 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 19,360' / 5,900 m |
258 mph1 415 kph1 |
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| Cruising speed | 173 mph1 278 kph1 |
184 mph1 296 kph1 |
||
| Climb | ||||
| Service ceiling | 29,950'1 9,130 m1 |
33,730'1 10,280 m1 |
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| Range | 2,722 miles1 4,380 km1 |
3,871 miles1 6,230 km1 |
||
| Armament | 3: 7.7 mm MG1 | |||
| OR | 1: 20 mm1 | |||
| Dorsal | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | |||
| Ventral | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | |||
| Lateral | 2: 7.7 mm MG1 | |||
| Bombs or torpedo | 1,764 lb1 800 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
