Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 Nell

[Grzegames]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

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Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 (九六式陸上攻撃二三型)
The Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 was a Japanese land-based bomber introduced into production in 1941. The Japanese used it to sink the battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse during the Malayan campaign. Together with the similar Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22, a total of 412 aircraft of these two types were produced between 1941 and 1943.
History
The G3M3 Model 23 version was created at the beginning of 1941. The engines were replaced with powerful Kinsei 51 engines with a take-off power of 1,300 hp, allowing a maximum speed of 416 km/h. The propeller diameter was increased to 3.40 m. The cockpit was modified to allow the installation of an additional machine gun in the side window. Fuel capacity was increased from 3,874 liters to 5,182 liters, which extended the maximum range to 6,228 km. No other changes were made in this version compared to previous versions. The aircraft entered wider service in 1942 and received positive reviews from crews. It served as a front-line bomber until mid-1943 when it began to be withdrawn to auxiliary roles. Some were converted into transport aircraft, but most began operating as patrol planes. It was produced exclusively by Nakajima, as Mitsubishi switched to the production of the G4M. Some of the Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 aircraft were equipped with the H-6 radar, which improved their ability to detect submarines. Along with the Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22, a total of 412 aircraft were produced between 1941-43.

Photo of Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23

Art about Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23

Structure description
The Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 is similar to the Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 22, but there are important differences between them, which I will describe here.

1. The Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 engine with a take-off power of 791 kW (1075 hp) was replaced with a Mitsubishi Kinsei 51 engine with a take-off power of 956 kW (1300 hp)
2. The propeller was replaced with a larger one with a diameter of 3,400 mm
3. A mount for an additional Type 92 7.7 mm machine gun was added in the side windows of the crew cabin
4. The fuel capacity was increased from 3,874 liters to 5,182 liters
5. In some G3M3 Model 23 airplanes, the H-6 radar was installed

Technical sketches

Construction details

General characteristics

• Crew: 7
• Length: 16.45 m
• Wingspan: 25 m
• Height: 3.68 m
• Wing area: 75 m2
• Empty weight: 5243 kg
• Gross weight:
• Maximum take-off weight: 10,300 kg
• Fuel capacity: 5,182 L
• Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi MK8E Kinsei 51 (Ha-33-51) fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine with a take-off power of 956 kW (1300 hp)
• Propellers: Three-blade metal propeller with variable pitch and a diameter of 3,400mm

Performance

• Maximum speed: 416 km/h
• Cruise speed: 296 km/h
• Range: 4680 km
• Maximum Range: 6230 km
• Service ceiling: 10280 m
• Climb Rate: ?
• Rate of climb: 5,5 min to 3000 m

Armament

1. Guns:

• 1 x Type 99 Model 1 20mm cannon in a turret on the back
• 1-2 x Type 92 7.7 mm flexible machine gun in the cockpit (optional)
• 1 x Type 92 7.7 mm movable machine gun in a turret on the back
• 2 x Type 92 7.7 mm machine guns in side mounts

2. Bombs:

• 1 x 800 kg bomb
• 1 x 500 kg bomb
• 2 x 250 kg bombs
• 1 x 250 kg bombs + 6 x 60 kg bombs
• 2 x 250 kg bombs + 6 x 60 kg bombs (?)
• 12 x 60 kg bombs
• 1 x 800 kg torpedo

Radar equipment

• 1 x H6 radar at the top of the nose.

Special thanks

• @Rowiek
• @yo_sat

Summary
The G3M3 Model 23 is an aircraft with a great range and good performance. In its time it was a very good torpedo plane (sinking two battleships), but it was outclassed by modern Allied aircraft. In the game, it would be a great rank 1 aircraft that would be quite useful. 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

Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi G3M (airwar.ru)
九六式陸上攻撃機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi G3M - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi G3M [Nell] : Mitsubishi (valka.cz)
Mitsubishi G3M3 23 [Nell] : Mitsubishi (valka.cz)
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Mitsubishi G3M | Zdjęcia z wojny światowej (worldwarphotos.info)
Mitsubishi G3M NELL - bombowiec (aviastar.org)
Mitsubishi G3M Rikko (Nell) Medium Bomber / Torpedo Bomber Dane techniczne i zdjęcia (militaryfactory.com)

Book sources

• 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 197-198
• 野沢正『日本航空機総集 三菱篇』出版協同社 - page 166-170
• Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 60-65
• JAS Japanese Anti-Submarine Aircraft In The Pacific War page 51-59
• Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 350-357
• Mitsubishi Nakajima G3M1/2/3 96 Rikko IJNAF
  Schiffer Mitsubishi Nakajima G3M1-2-3 96 Rikko IJNAF PDF | PDF
• Profile Publications Aircraft 160 - Mitsubishi G3m Nell
  Profile Publications Aircraft 160 - Mitsubishi G3m Nell | PDF
• 世界の傑作機 No.91 九六式陸上攻撃機, 文林堂, 2002-1-5

Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots

[SinisterIsRandom]

Yes

[RomanianEULA]

Thanks for this great suggestion! A plane that should have been in the game for a very long time, as we are talking about an aircraft produced in several hundred copies during WW2!

[jon_man1199]

A +1 from me, this is another one of those planes that should have been added to the tech tree long ago

[TheS1up]

YES YES YES we’re still missing this beauty in game, it’s a shame +111111

[Fireraid233]

weird we never got it considering its historical background +1

[_Маэстро]

Yes, yes, yes))

[Shchuchiy_Nos]

+1

[kingoftigertank]

how is this not in game already, would fit well at rank 2

[Gnza10091441]

We need this.
+1

[xdzr]

This is a classic aircraft in both the Pacific War and the Sino-Japanese War. Perhaps the Type 23 with better engines could be a premium vehicle(maybe an event reward). The Type 22 could be a common vehicle in the tree. It is hard to get why Gaijin did not add such a representative aircraft in the Japanese tree, it has very complete paint and technical data.

[LukTroy]

+1. It’s criminal that such an iconic aircraft is still missing in the game.

[EagleBlade]

Great! I want this aircraft for long because it appeared in the animated film The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki.

[blazeFox]

This version have everything to be good light/medium bomber, with enough performance and this nice armament. Shame that its not yet in game

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 yet another of many cases where a Japanese plane that should be in game isn’t

[かがり]

+1 Bombers need more appreciation

[Grzegames]

I updated the suggestion to align with the standard of my newer suggestions. Additionally, new sources have appeared.