Mitsubishi G1M

G1M

National origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi
First flight: April 1934
Status: Prototype only
Number built: 1

The Mitsubishi G1M was a long-range twin-engined Attack Bomber built by Mitsubishi for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 1930s.

Design and development

The sole prototype G1M, initially designated Mitsubishi Navy Experimental 8-Shi Special Reconnaissance Aircraft and re-designated Mitsubishi Navy Experimental 8-Shi Land based Medium Attack Aircraft before first flight, was a predecessor of the Mitsubishi G3M, an important step for the Navy air force towards more capable land-based bombers such as the Mitsubishi G4M "Betty".

There is sometimes confusion between this aircraft and the Mitsubishi 3MT5, (also designated 'Mitsubishi G1M' and 'Navy Experimental 7-shi Carrier Attack Bomber'). The 3MT5 was a biplane and the 8-shi experimental Attack Bomber was a monoplane, two entirely different aircraft.

Specifications

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941

General characteristics

Crew: 5
Length: 15.83 m (51 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Height: 4.53 m (14 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 75 m (810 sq ft)
Empty weight: 4,775 kg (10,527 lb)
Gross weight: 7,003 kg (15,439 lb)
Powerplant: 2 x— Type 91 water cooled W12 engine, 480 kW (650 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 266 km/h; 143 kn (165 mph)
Range: 4,408 km; 2,380 nmi (2,739 mi)
Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,092 ft)
Time to altitude: 16 min 54 sec to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

Armament

Guns: 2x— flexibly mounted 7.7 mm machine guns (one in nose and one in dorsal position)

Bibliography

Mikesh, Robert C. and Shorzoe Abe. Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1990. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.
Peattie, Mark R. Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, 1909-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1-59114-664-3.

Mitsubishi G1M Pictures

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Source: WikiPedia