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Mitsubishi G4M2 model 22 ( 一式陸上攻撃機二二型)
The Mitsubishi G4M2 model 22 is a Japanese long-range medium bomber created in 1942. It is an improved version of the Mitsubishi G4M1 model 11 aircraft. Approximately 270 Mitsubishi G4M2 Model 22 aircraft were built, the aircraft was used operationally from July 1943 until the end of the war.
History
In November 1941, the Japanese Naval Command reported the need to improve the defensive armament for the Mitsubishi G4M1 aircraft. The new version was to be equipped with a dorsal hydraulically driven turret armed with a Type 99 20 mm cannon, which forced the reinforcement of the structure. After calculations made at the Mitsubishi plant, it turned out that the weight of the aircraft would increase by about 900 kg, so it was also decided to replace the engines with the more powerful Mitsubishi MK4P Kasei 21 with a take-off power of 1,324 kW (1,800 HP) and replace the propeller with four-bladed ones with a diameter of 3,400 mm, which could be set in a flag. There are a few more changes that will be described later. The first prototype of the G4M2 model 22 aircraft was completed on November 24, 1942. Then, in February 1943, the aircraft was transferred to the Japanese Navy for testing. In July 1943, production of the Mitsubishi G4M2 model 22 aircraft began. Until 1944, this aircraft was produced in parallel with the Mitsubishi G4M1 bomber. The G4M2 model 22 aircraft served until the end of the war, along with improved variants of the G4M2 model 24 and G4M3 model 34.
Construction description
The Mitsubishi G4M2 model 22 aircraft is similar to the Mitsubishi G4M1, but there are big differences between them, which here Describe.
- Changed the Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 11 engines with 1530 hp to the more powerful Mitsubishi MK4P Kasei 21 engine with 1800 hp
- Instead of a Type 92 machine gun mount on the back, a hydraulically driven turret with a Type 99 model 1 cannon (similar to the one in the H8K2) was mounted
- Changed propellers from three-bladed to four-bladed with a diameter of 3,400 mm
- Increased fuel supply by 1,590 liters (from 4,900 liters to 6,490 liters)
- The appearance of the nose has been changed. Instead of consisting of a mass of individual windows, it consisted of plexiglass on a frame, which improved visibility.
- The Type 92 nose rifle has increased its range of motion by ±40 degrees sideways and ±45 degrees up/down. In addition, additional holes were installed on the sides of the nose, in which two additional Type 92 machine guns were mounted (one on the left, the other on the right)
- Widened the firing slot (widened to the sides) of the Type 99 tail cannon
- The bubble shields for the Type 92 beam machine guns were removed, and the holes were changed from round to square, which were closed with glass panels
- Rubber covers were installed under the wing fuel tanks
- The take-off weight of the aircraft increased from 9500 kg to 12500 kg
- The structure of the aircraft was strengthened, which forced the reinforcement of the landing gear
- The leaf profile has been changed to a laminar flow profile and its thickness has been increased from 12.5% to 15%
- Horizontal stabilizer enlarged
- Rounded wingtips and horizontal stabilizer
- The rear wheel was retractable in the fuselage
- A convex bomb bay door was used, which increased the bomb load to 1000 kg or one Type 91 Kai-7 torpedo
- An additional square window has been installed in the lower part of the nose to improve visibility for the bombardier
Construction of the dorsal turret
General characteristics
- Crew: 7-8
- Length: 19,63 m
- Wingspan: 24,89 m
- Height: 4,80 m
- Wing area: 78,125 m2
- Empty weight: 8160 kg
- Gross weight: 12000 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 15395 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x Mitsubishi MK4P Kasei 21 with take-off power of 1,324 kW (1,800 hp)
- Propellers: four-bladed fixed speed propeller with a diameter of 3,400 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 437 km/h
- Cruising speed: 315 km/h
- Range: 4720 km
- Maximum Range: 6060 km
- Service ceiling: 8950 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 13,34 min to 5000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Type 92 7.7 mm movable machine gun on the tip of the nose (582 rounds)
- 2 x Type 92 movable machine gun caliber 7.7 mm on the sides of the nose (582 rounds)(optional)
- 2 x 7.7mm Type 92 movable machine gun on the sides of the fuselage behind the wings (582 rounds)
- 1 x Type 99 Model 1 20mm Dorsal Turret Mobile Cannon Model 1 (270 rounds)
- 1 x Type 99 Model 1 20mm Tail Turret Mobile Cannon (540 rounds)
- Bombs
- 1 x 800 kg bombs
- 2 x 500 kg bombs
- 4 x 250 kg bombs
- 12 x 60 kg bombs
- 1 x torpedo Type 91 all versions
Armour
- 30 mm rubber cover on the underside of the wing fuel tanks
- 10 mm armor plate to protect behind the upper turret
- Probably also armored pilots’ seats
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Mitsubishi G4M2 model 22 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a great complement to the G4M1 bomber, which would have better defensive capabilities and bomb payload. The Type 91 Kai-7 torpedo (it is much more powerful than the current Type 91 Kai 2 and Kai 3 torpedoes) would be a terror of all ships, and two 500 kg bombs would be very useful in ground and air battles. This aircraft also has great defensive armament, which will allow it to defend itself against enemy fighters. 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
一式陸上攻撃機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi G4M - Wikipedia
九一式魚雷 - Wikipedia
一式陸上攻撃機/三菱Mitsubishi G4M | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M (Betty) Navy Land-Based Medium Bomber Aircraft
Mitsubishi G4M Betty
G4M, Betty Long Range Bomber, Mitsubishi
Micubiši G4M2 22 [Betty] : Micubiši
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 378-387
- La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 277-286
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 25-28
- (Wydawnictwo Militaria No.67) Mitsubishi G4M “Betty”
(Wydawnictwo Militaria No.67) Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” | PDF - (Aircraft Profile 210) - Mitsubishi G4M Betty
(Aircraft Profile 210) - Mitsubishi G4M Betty PDF | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
