G3M file photo

G3M

CountryJapan
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Primary RoleMedium Bomber
Maiden Flight1 July 1935

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

The G3M Type 96 Land-Based Attack Aircraft were used as light bombers, torpedo bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft by the Japanese. The first combat mission they flew was in 1935 in China, taking off from Taiwan and Kyushu to attack Chinese positions in China, making them the first trans-oceanic bomber in air combat history. Immediately before the start of the Pacific War, about 200 of them were transferred to the Philippine Islands, and on 10 Dec 1941 played a role in the sinking of British warships Prince of Wales and Repulse off Malaya. The sinking of the two British ships was the first time a large warship was sunk exclusively by air while at sea. Beginning in 1943, G3M bombers were mostly relegated to non-combat roles such as glider tugs, transport, or training aircraft. During the production life of the G3M design, 1,048 were built.

The Allied code name for G3M bombers was "Nell".

Source: Wikipedia.

SPECIFICATIONS

G3M2
MachineryTwo Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 air-cooled 14-cylinder radial engines, rated at 1,075hp each
Armament1x20mm Type 99 cannon, 4x7.7mm Type 92 machine guns, 800kg of bombs or 1 torpedo
Span9.99 m
Length9.99 m
Height3.68 m
Wing Area75.00 m²
Weight, Empty4,965 kg
Weight, Loaded8,000 kg
Speed, Maximum375 km/h
Speed, Cruising280 km/h
Rate of Climb6.00 m/s
Service Ceiling9,200 m
Range, Maximum4,400 km

G3M3
MachineryTwo Mitsubishi Kinsei 51 air-cooled 14-cylinder radial engines, rated at 1,300hp each
Armament1x20mm Type 99 cannon, 4x7.7mm Type 92 machine guns, 800kg of bombs or 1 torpedo
Span9.99 m
Length9.99 m
Height3.68 m
Wing Area75.00 m²
Weight, Empty4,965 kg
Weight, Loaded8,000 kg
Speed, Maximum375 km/h
Speed, Cruising280 km/h
Rate of Climb6.00 m/s
Service Ceiling9,200 m
Range, Maximum6,230 km

Photographs

G3M bombers flying in formation, date unknownG3M bombers in flight, date unknownTop view of a G3M bomber, date unknownJapanese Army G3M bombers flying over China, circa 1937
See all 16 photographs of G3M Medium Bomber



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G3M Medium Bomber Photo Gallery
G3M bombers flying in formation, date unknown
See all 16 photographs of G3M Medium Bomber



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