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Mitsubishi G3M2 model 22 (九六式陸上攻撃機二二型)
The Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22 is a Japanese long-range medium bomber introduced into production in 1939 and produced until 1942. 238 G3M2 model 22 aircraft were built, which served until the end of the war. These planes became famous around the world on December 10, 1941, when they sank the ships Prince of Wales and Repulse.
History
In 1938, after analyzing the losses received from the Chinese, the Japanese naval command decided that the defense capabilities of the G3M2 model 21 aircraft needed to be improved. Mitsubishi decided to increase its defense capabilities by installing a Type 99 cannon and changing the position of Type 92 machine guns. In addition, it was decided to improve the performance of the machine, change engines. To improve the defensive armament, the retractable ventral turret was removed, the rear dorsal turret was enlarged and a Type 99 cannon was mounted in it, and Type 92 machine guns in teardrop-shaped shields were installed on the sides of the hulls. It was also decided to replace the Mitsubishi Kinsei 42 engines with 1075 hp for more powerful Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 engines, which had the same power, but performed better at altitudes. The prototype G3M2 model 22 aircraft was delivered for testing, either in late 1938 or early 1939. The naval command was satisfied with the new version of the G3M2 and ordered it to be put into production. These planes had their production peak in 1940 and were quickly replaced in production at the Mitsubishi plant by the Mitsubishi G4M aircraft, so the Nakajima plant was mainly involved in production. Most of the G3M2 model 22 aircraft were assigned to units that were to fight Allied ships in the war expected soon. Some of the G3M2 model 22 aircraft went to China, where the new defensive armament improved the survivability of the bombers during air raids on distant targets deep inside China. On December 7, 1941, the Pacific War broke out with the attack on Pearl Harbor, during which the Americans lost 5 of their battleships, so the main forces in the region were the British, who wanted to defend the “Gibraltar of the East”, i.e. Singapore, using Force Z ships, which included one battleship (Prince of Wales), one battlecruiser (Repulse) and four destroyers, whose main goal was to prevent a naval invasion by the Japanese. British forces put to sea on 8 December to attack Japanese positions near Songkhla. On 9 December, the Japanese submarine I-65 weighed the ships of Force Z. The Japanese first tried to intercept the British ships with their own ships, but on the night of 9 December the two fleets were not found. On 10 December, at about 11 a.m., the Force Z fleet was attacked by Japanese G3M2 model 21/22 and G4M1 bombers, which sank both main ships (Prince of Wales and Repulse) within 2 hours, losing only 4 aircraft (2 G3M and 2 G4M). This victory made the Mitsubishi G3M aircraft and the Japanese Air Force famous. The G3M2 model 22 aircraft were used during the Pacific War until mid-1942 in line units, then they were transferred to other tasks (long-range patrols, night bombing) and served until the end of the war. Some of the aircraft were converted into L3Y2 transport aircraft.
Technical description
The Mitsubishi G3M2 model 22 aircraft is similar to the Mitsubishi G3M2 model 21 aircraft, but there are some differences between them, which I will describe here.
- The retractable ventral turret was removed, and the rear dorsal turret was enlarged and a Type 99 model 1 cannon was mounted in it. On the sides of the fuselage, behind the end of the wings, 7.7 mm Type 92 rifles were installed in teardrop-shaped cowlings. In later models, a single Type 92 machine gun was mounted in the cockpit, which fired from the right or left side.
- Mitsubishi Kinsei 42 engines with 1075 hp were changed to Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 engines with the same power, but with better performance at altitudes
General characteristics
- Crew: 7
- Length: 16,45 m
- Wingspan: 25,00 m
- Height: 3,68 m
- Wing area: 75 m2
- Empty weight: 5150 kg
- Gross weight: 8000 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x air-cooled fourteen-cylinder Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 radial engines with a take-off power of 791 kW (1075 hp)
- Propellers: three-bladed metal adjustable in the range of 23.5° - 29° with a diameter of 3,200 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 373 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 260 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: 4670 km
- Service ceiling: 9130 m
- Time to Climb to: 8,3 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Type 99 Model 1 20mm cannon in a turret on the back
- 4 x Type 92 7.7mm movable machine guns in retractable turrets (one on the back, two in the side position and one in the cockpit)
- Bombs:
- 1 x 800 kg bomb
- 1 x 500 kg bomb
- 2 x 250 kg bombs
- 12 x 60 kg bombs
- 1 x 800 kg torpedo
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi G3M2 model 22 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. It is a bomber with a huge range and good armament, which would be perfectly suited to the first era. This plane also has an interesting history, which would be an interesting addition to this plane. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
九六式陸上攻撃機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi G3M - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi G3M “Nell” (1935)
Mitsubishi G3M Rikko Long-range Torpedo Bomber
Mitsubishi G3M Type 96 (Nell) Info
九六式陸上攻撃機/三菱 | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器
Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse - Wikipedia
九六式陆上攻击机_百度百科
Mitsubishi G3M2
Mitsubishi G3M Nell - Destination’s Journey
Micubiši G3M2b 22B [Nell] : Micubiši
Mitsubishi G3M2 ‘Nell’
Mitsubishi G3M
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi G3M
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 350-357
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 10-13
- Mitsubishi Nakajima G3M1/2/3 96 Rikko IJNAF
Schiffer Mitsubishi Nakajima G3M1-2-3 96 Rikko IJNAF PDF | PDF - La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 273-276
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Profile Publications Aircraft 160 - Mitsubishi G3m Nell
Profile Publications Aircraft 160 - Mitsubishi G3m Nell | PDF
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