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Imperial Japanese Navy · Land-Based Naval Bomber · Torpedo Attack · Rabaul · Solomons

Mitsubishi G4M Betty

G4M1 / G4M2 / Ohka carrier variants · IJN land-based Kokutai · 1941–1945
IJN / IJAAF route with Kokutai, Sentai and Pacific theatre context

The Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s long-range land-based bomber and torpedo attack aircraft. Its huge range made it dangerous across the Pacific, but its light protection made it vulnerable and gave Allied crews the “flying lighter” reputation. For modellers it means a long slender fuselage, twin Kasei radials, greenhouse nose, lateral blisters, tail gun position, torpedoes, dark green over grey camouflage, Hinomaru markings, heavy exhaust staining, sun fading and Pacific field wear.

7
Crew
2×Kasei
Radials
Long
Range
IJN
Land-based role

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Mitsubishi G4M Betty build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: IJN / IJAAF. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
IJN Grey / Ame-iroEarly Zero and IJN undersidesXF-7671.311AK RC303H61/H336 mix
IJN Green / IJAAF GreenUpper camouflage green by serviceXF-11 / XF-1371.322 / 71.285AK RC330 / RC332H59 / H60
Nakajima / Mitsubishi interior greenCockpit, gear bays by makerXF-71 / XF-5 mix71.010 / 71.126AK RC334H58/H312
Aotake translucent blue-greenInterior metallic protective finish where visibleX-13 over aluminiumMetallic Blue Green mixAK RC316 style mixH63 clear mix
Prop brown / blackProps, tyres and anti-glare panelsXF-10 / XF-6971.041 / 71.057AK RC035 / RC022H17 / H12
AluminiumChipping, exposed metal and landing gearLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringHeat staining, tyres, salt fading and oil dirtXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

G4M operations · 1941–1945

The G4M Betty was central to Japanese long-range naval air power. It attacked Force Z off Malaya, fought from Rabaul through the Solomons, carried torpedoes against Allied shipping, flew the aircraft carrying Admiral Yamamoto on his final flight, and later carried the Ohka special attack weapon. A good G4M model starts with the route: early G4M1 torpedo bomber, Rabaul-based dark green aircraft, Yamamoto mission subject, late G4M2, or Ohka carrier.

7Crew
2×KaseiRadials
G4M1/2Variants
IJNNaval bomber
Mitsubishi G4M Betty real reference
Real G4M photo route: check G4M1/G4M2, turret/blister fit, tail gun, torpedo or bomb load, Kokutai markings, camouflage and weathering before paint.

Role & strengths

  • Imperial Japanese Navy land-based bomber, torpedo attacker and long-range reconnaissance/strike aircraft
  • Malaya/Force Z, Rabaul, Solomons, Yamamoto mission, late-war and Ohka carrier routes
  • Long fuselage, greenhouse nose, lateral blisters, tail gun, twin Kasei radials and torpedo/bomb load
  • IJN dark green over grey, Hinomaru, Kokutai codes and late-war field camouflage
  • Heavy exhaust, sun fading, chipped paint, oil, dust, rough repairs and Pacific field grime

Key theatres

  • Malaya and Force Z torpedo attack route
  • Rabaul and Solomon Islands operations
  • Yamamoto interception route
  • Late-war G4M2 and Ohka carrier routes

Specification G4M1

Crew7Length64 ft 3 inWingspan81 ft 11 inMax speedc.265 mphPowerplant2× Mitsubishi Kasei radialsArmamentDefensive guns plus bombs or torpedo

Survivor/reference today

G4M Betty survivor/reference image

G4M references rely on period photos, wrecks and museum fragments. Use wrecks for structure and details, but verify wartime colours and markings separately.

View references

Timeline highlights

Build this G4M as…

Pick the role and base first. Force Z torpedo aircraft, Rabaul bomber, Yamamoto mission aircraft, late G4M2 and Ohka carrier all need different markings, fittings and weathering.

Aircraft identity

●Hinomaru
IJNLand base
2×Kasei
RBLRabaul
TYPE91Torpedo
OHKALate route
Variant warning

G4M1, G4M2 and Ohka carrier aircraft differ in windows, turrets, tail position and equipment. Do not mix details across marks.

Weathering warning

Pacific G4Ms could be heavily worn, but chipping must follow crew access, airflow, heat and field-repair logic.

Paint scheme cards

EarlyDark green over grey

Core G4M1/G4M2 route with Hinomaru, Kokutai markings and Pacific fading.

TorpedoType 91 strike fit

Force Z/Rabaul torpedo builds need underside, rack and torpedo finish checks.

RabaulSun-faded field wear

Land-based route with heat, dust, exhaust, rough repairs and paint breakdown.

LateOhka / desperate service

Late G4M2 routes need variant checks, heavy wear and subject-specific fittings.

Campaign cards

Force Z

Early torpedo route with Type 91 loadout and maritime strike story.

Rabaul / Solomons

Long-range bomber/torpedo route with field wear, exhaust and sun-faded green.

Yamamoto mission

Specific aircraft route with 705 Kokutai markings and historically sensitive detail checks.

Ohka carrier

Late-war specialist route with altered loadout and heavy operational wear.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

High. Long fuselage, clear nose, blisters, tail gun and twin-engine alignment need care.

Variant difficulty

High. G4M1/G4M2/turret and Ohka-carrier details must match the subject.

Weathering difficulty

High. Japanese field wear and exhaust can look excellent, but over-chipping ruins scale effect.

Paint codesIJN dark green, grey undersides, Hinomaru and Kokutai markingsTechniqueIJN chipping, twin-engine exhaust, Type 91 torpedo and field wearArticleG4M Betty kits, Rabaul routes and weathering guide

Mitsubishi G4M Betty Kokutai and bomber units

Sortable G4M cards covering Force Z, Rabaul, Solomons, Yamamoto mission, late G4M2, Ohka carrier and survivor/reference routes.

Route:Sort:

G4M Betty operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked G4M unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

G4M Betty build guide

Kit choice wizard

G4M Betty videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.