README FOR G4M Bomber

Thanks for downloading the Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Bomber


Civilopedia Text Entry:

#PRTO_G4M
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^Few would know it by its official designation, the Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber. The Allies called it the BETTY but to the men that flew the airplane, it was popularly, but unofficially, the 'Hamaki,' 
Japanese for cigar, in honour of the airplane's rotund, cigar-shaped fuselage. The Japanese built more of them than any other bomber during World War II. From the first day of war until after the 
surrender, BETTY bombers saw service throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Like its stable mate, Mitsubishi's Zero Fighter the Hamaki soldiered on long after it became obsolete, even dangerous, 
to fly wherever Allied interceptors prowled. 
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^A city must have both $LINK<oil=GOOD_Oil> and $LINK<rubber=GOOD_rubber> in its
$LINK<Strategic Resource=GCON_ResourcesS> box to build the G4M Bomber.
#DESC_G4M
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^In July 1937, the new Mitsubishi G3M bomber (Allied codename NELL) went into service in China. Only two months later, the Navy issued a specification to Mitsubishi for a NELL replacement. At that time, 
the requirements were unprecedented for a twin-engine, land-based attack bomber: flying at a top speed of 398 kph (247 mph) and an altitude of 3,000 m (9,845 ft), the new bomber had to fly a distance 
of 4,722 km (2,933 miles) without a torpedo or equivalent weight in bombs. When carrying an 800 kg (1,768 lb) torpedo or the same weight in bombs, the Navy needed the bomber to fly at least 3,700 km (2,300 mi).
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^To meet the requirements, a Mitsubishi design team led by Kiro Honjo crafted an airplane called the G4M with fuel tanks in the wings that were not resistant to explosion when punctured during combat. These tanks were much lighter in weight than explosion-proof (also called 'self-sealing') gas tanks. The decision not to incorporate the heavier, safer fuel tanks was necessary to meet the Navy's range 
requirements. Mitsubishi incorporated this same design feature in the Zero, for the same reasons and with the same results. Both aircraft had unprecedented range but they were also extremely 
vulnerable to the machine gun and cannon fire from Allied fighter aircraft. The BETTY was so prone to ignite that the Allies nicknamed it the 'flying lighter.'
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^The fuselage was streamlined but rotund to allow space for a bomb bay within the wing centre section and to allow the 7 to 9-man crew to move about. About half the crew were gunners who manned the 
defensive armament positions. Bomber crews flying the NELL were virtually incapable of defending themselves from concentrated fighter attacks, so Honjo paid special attention to this aspect of 
the G4M. He incorporated 7.7 mm (.30 cal.) guns in the nose, atop the mid-fuselage behind the cockpit, and on both sides of the fuselage behind the wing. In the tail, he introduced a 20 mm cannon. 
Although the G4M now had a more potent sting, Honjo again sacrificed crew protection to the Navy's demands for great range. He omitted armour plate.



PediaIcons Text Entries:

#ICON_PRTO_G4M
art\civilopedia\icons\units\G4MLarge.pcx
art\civilopedia\icons\units\G4MSmall.pcx

#ANIMNAME_PRTO_G4M
G4M

Suggested Stats:

Prerequisite:  Flight 
Shield Cost: 8
Moves: 1 Operational Range 8
A/D: 8/4
Air Bombard, Bombard 10
Requires Support
Required Resources:  Oil, Rubber
Unit Abilities:  Immobile
AI Strategies:  Offence
Air Missions: Bombing, Rebase



