Mitsubishi G3M1 Model 11 (九六式陸上攻撃機一一型)
The Mitsubishi G3M1 is a Japanese long-range bomber created in 1935. 34 G3M1 aircraft were built, which served at the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
History
Work on the Mitsubishi G3M1 aircraft began in 1934, when the Japanese Naval Command issued the 9-Shi specification, which aimed to create a land-based bomber that would be able to carry 800 kg of bombs and have a long range to be able to attack enemy battleships and carriers. Mitsubishi and Nakajima entered the competition and began working on bombers. The chief designer of the Mitsubishi aircraft was engineer Kiro Honjo, and the aircraft was named Ka-15 within the company. The first prototype of the Ka-15 was ready in June 1935, and flew for the first time in July 1935 piloted by Yoshitaka Kajima. Mitsubishi produced 21 prototype Ka-15 aircraft, which turned out to be better than the Nakajima LB-2 aircraft. It was not until June 2, 1936, that the Mitsubishi Ka-15 aircraft was accepted into service as the Type 96 Land Attack Aircraft or G3M1. Production of the G3M1 aircraft lasted from the summer of 1936 to the beginning of 1937 and 34 aircraft were produced before they were replaced by an improved version of the G3M2, the Model 21. The G3M1 was introduced to China with the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, during which it was used as a long-range bomber, but was quickly withdrawn due to the arrival of the improved G3M2 Model 21.The G3M1 aircraft were converted into transport aircraft with the designation L3Y1
Construction description
The Mitsubishi G3M1 is a medium long-range bomber in a classic layout with double controls. The plane was all metal, in a medium-wing configuration, powered by two Mitsubishi MK8 Kinsei 3 engines with a take-off power of 669 kW (910 HP), which drove three-bladed propellers. In-flight retractable landing gear with fixed tail wheel. The aircraft did not have a bomb bay and carried bombs under the fuselage. The plane was armed with three Type 92 machine guns in retractable turrets, two on the back of the plane, and one on the belly.
General characteristics
Crew: 5
Length: 16,45 m
Wingspan: 25,00 m
Height: 3,68 m
Wing area: 75 m2
Empty weight: 4 770 kg
Gross weight: 7 642 kg
Powerplant: 2 x fourteen-cylinder Mitsubishi MK8 Kinsei 3 radial engines with a take-off power of 669 kW (910 hp)
Propellers: three-bladed metal propellers with adjustable angle of attack with a diameter of 3.510 mm
Performance
Maximum speed: 348 km/h
Cruise Speed: 250 Km/h
Range: 3750 km
Maximum Range: 4550 km
Service ceiling: 7480 m
Time to Climb to: 9 min 47 seconds to 3000 m
Armament
Guns:
3 x Type 92 7.7mm movable machine guns in retractable turrets (two on the back, one on the belly)
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
12 x 60 kg bombs
1 x 800 kg torpedo
I would love ask to the playerbase for what br and what where: TT?,Premium?, Event?
Possible resource materials for devs if they want check about this plane
- 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
- Yes
- No