Various sub-variants were made:
- G4M2 Model 22: The main production model. It was introduced in July 1943 and, from 65th aircraft onwards, bulged bomb bay doors were introduced. An optically flat panel in the nose cone, was also featured from 105th aircraft onwards. The total number of produced machines is unknown, as sources vary, but it's placed between 816 and 839.
- G4M2 Model 22 Ko, AKA Model 22A: A sub-variant equipped with a Type 3 Ku Mark.6 search radar and armed with 20 mm Type 99 cannons in the lateral positions.
- G4M2 Model 22 Otsu: Another sub-variant, this time the gun in the dorsal turret was a Type 99 Model 2.
- G4M2a Model 24: A variant equipped with uprated Kasei MK4P engines, which delivered up to 1.800 hp of power, and bulged bomb bay doors to carry a larger payload. It also had a carburetor air intake on top of the engine cowling. A total of 514 G4M2a Model 24 were manufactured, though that number is not completely certain. The prototype flew for the first time on 31st May 1944.
- G4M2a Model 24 Ko: Same armament as G4M2 Model 22 Ko.
- G4M2a Model 24 Otsu: Same armament as G4M2 Model 22 Otsu
- G4M2a Model 24 Hei: A modified Model 24 Otsu with a single 13.2 mm Type 2 machine gun placed in tip of the nose cone. Radar antena was also placed above nose cone.
- G4M2b Model 25: A experimental version fitted with MK4T-B Kasei engines, rated at 1.820 hp of power.
- G4M2c Model 26: Another experimental model fitted with the same engines as the G4M2b, but with superchargers added.
- G4M2d Model 27: Yet another experimental model, this fitted with another variant of the Kasei engines.
- G4M2e Model 24 Tei: A special modification made to transport a Yokosuka MXY-7 Kamikaze airplane. It featured armoured cockpit and fuel tanks. The exact number of converted is unknown, but it must've been a minimum of 65 and a maximum of 70 between 1944 and 1945.
There were also some non-flying decoys of the G4M2, which received the name of MXY11.
The next main variant of the G4M, was the G4M3. This version was a redesigned G4M2 with self-sealing fuel tanks, improved armour protection and a redesigned tail turret, with a gunner's compartment similar to that present in the Martin B-26 Marauder. Wings were also redesigned and the horizontal tailplane was given dihedral. It was armed with two 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 92 machine guns in nose cabin, and both side positions, plus one 20 mm Type 99 cannon both in dorsal turret and tail. The first prototype flew for the first time on 1st January 1944 and it entered production in October. It was produced until August 1945, when Japan surrended and a total of 60-65 machines were built. Most of them featured 20 mm Type 99 cannons at the sides, instead of machine guns.
After the loss of Okinawa, the G4M was the main land-based bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Most of them were assigned to the 20th Kokutai, which included the Testing Air Group, which was equipped in 1944-1945 with the latest G4M3 Model 34 and 36, though these arrived too late and too little to have any impact in the course of the war.
From November 1944 to January 1945, G4Ms were the main type of aircraft used by the Japanese to strike the Mariana Islands. Plans to use converted G4Ms to land commandos on the islands were developed in mid-1945 and cancelled later, due to the end of the war.
Two de-militarized G4Ms carried the first Japanese surrender delegation on the first leg of their flight to Manila. They were painted in green, with green crosses and were escorted by two P-38 Lightnings.
The intended successor of the G4M was the Yokosuka P1Y Ginga, however, due to production problems, the changeover was just began when the war ended.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_G4M
2. https://www.valka.cz/Micubisi-G4M2-22-Betty-t8550
3. https://www.valka.cz/Micubisi-G4M2a-24a-Betty-t81394
4. https://www.valka.cz/Micubisi-G4M2e-Betty-t35059
5. https://www.valka.cz/Micubisi-G4M3-34-Betty-t29176
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