World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe 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.

ww2dbaseThe Allied code name for G3M bombers was "Nell".

SPECIFICATIONS

G3M2

Machinery	Two Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 air-cooled 14-cylinder radial engines, rated at 1,075hp each
Armament	1x20mm Type 99 cannon, 4x7.7mm Type 92 machine guns, 800kg of bombs or 1 torpedo
Crew	7
Span	25.00 m
Length	16.45 m
Height	3.68 m
Wing Area	75.00 m²
Weight, Empty	4,965 kg
Weight, Loaded	8,000 kg
Speed, Maximum	375 km/h
Speed, Cruising	280 km/h
Rate of Climb	6.00 m/s
Service Ceiling	9,200 m
Range, Maximum	4,400 km

G3M3

Machinery	Two Mitsubishi Kinsei 51 air-cooled 14-cylinder radial engines, rated at 1,300hp each
Armament	1x20mm Type 99 cannon, 4x7.7mm Type 92 machine guns, 800kg of bombs or 1 torpedo
Crew	7
Span	25.00 m
Length	16.45 m
Height	3.68 m
Wing Area	75.00 m²
Weight, Empty	4,965 kg
Weight, Loaded	8,000 kg
Speed, Maximum	375 km/h
Speed, Cruising	280 km/h
Rate of Climb	6.00 m/s
Service Ceiling	9,200 m
Range, Maximum	6,230 km

Photographs