Mitsubishi G4M, foreign users

 

The Mitsubishi G4M was a Japanese twin-engined medium bomber designed to success to former G3M. Its main user was the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), but as the war went on, it saw service with some other countries as well:

• Communist China: Apparently, among the many aircraft left over by the Japanese, the Communists managed to capture some machines, probably in the Southern part of the country, as that's where the IJN had some aerial bases at the end of the conflict. As we couldn't find neither graphical nor text information about the G4M serving with the Chinese, the drawing should be considered as speculative.
• United Kingdom: The British Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit South East Asia (ATAIU SEA) operated one captured G4M2 Model 22, registered as FI-11 for evaluation purposes at Tebrau airfield, in Malaysia. It belonged originally to the 13th Koku Kantai Yuso Tai. Its ultimate fate is unknown, but it was most probably scrapped.
• Indonesia: Among the aircraft used by the Indonesian Air Force, was, apparently, at least one G4M captured by Indonesian guerrillas, left over by the Japanese in some remote area of the country. It was probably used by the Indonesians during their Independence War, but its ultimate fate is unknown. As we couldn't find information on the subject, the drawing and the information written here should be considered as speculative.
• United States: The Technical Air Intelligence Unit, operated some captured G4M for evaluation purposes at Eagle Farm airfield, in Brisbane, Australia in 1945. The evaluated bomber was painted with exaggerated American markings and rudder stripes even if they were eliminated three years earlier. 

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_G4M

2. https://captured-wings.wikia.org/wiki/FI-11

3. https://captured-wings.wikia.org/wiki/ATAIU-SEA

4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Air_Force#Before_Indonesian_independence_(1941–1945)

5. https://ww2db.com/photo.php?list=search&sp&startRow=40&keyword&source=colorall&color&foreigntype=A&foreigntype_id=12&dt&image_id

6. https://j-aircraft.com/captured/capturedfrom/TAIC/TAICSG4M/mitsubishi_g4m2_betty.htm

Mitsubishi G3M, part four

 

The Mitsubishi G3M2 Model 21 was a variant with improved Kinsei 41 or 42 engines, yielding 1.075 hp of power each, increased fuel capacity and modified dorsal turrets. The G3M2 Model 22 was fitted with 1.075 hp Kinsei 45 engines (some Model 21 were retrofitted with that engine as well) and featured a complete re-arrangement of the defensive weapons. Retractable ventral and rear dorsal turrets were completely eliminated replacing the later one with a large turtleback enclosure canopy which housed a 20 mm Type 99 cannon. The ventral turret was replaced by two blisters, one on each side of the fuselage, which housed a single Type 92 machine gun. A total of 343 Model 21 were manufactured plus 238 Model 22 between 1937 and 1941.

A special version was made out from a G3M2 Model 21. This version was not armed at all and had the most advanced kind of autopilot Japan had back then. It was commissioned by the newspaper Manichi Shimbun to make a round-the-world flight in 1939. This aircraft took off on 25th August 1939 from Haneda airport, in Tokyo and, after 55 days of flight, on 20th October, it landed back at Haneda.

The Mitsubishi G3M3 Model 23 was a development carried out by Nakajima, when Mitsubishi's production was switched towards the more advanced G4M. A total of 412 G3M3 were manufactured at Koizumi, in Japan. This variant was powered by two Kinsei 51 radial engines yielding 1.300 hp of power each, a further increase in fuel tankage which extended the type's maximum range up to 6.230 km (3.870 milles), compared with the 4.380 km (2.720 milles) of the G3M2 Model 22. 

The L3Y was a transport conversion made by Yokosuka in two models, L3Y1 Model 11 and L3Y2 Model 12. They were converted from outdated G3M1 and G3M2 bombers at First Naval Air Arsenal, at Kasurnigaura, thought the number of converted machines is not known. These could carry up to 10 passengers and some few were fitted with a single defensive Type 92 machine gun. Some were used by commercial companies, and some others were used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in the invasion of the Dutch East Indies in late 1941, early 1942.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the G3M2 was already considered as obsolete. However, a total of 204 of them were still in active service with three front-line squadrons, in four Kokutais based in the central Pacific region. Fifty-four of those, belonging to the Takao Kokutai, were deployed to Formosa in the opening phases of the Battle of the Philippines. On 8th December 1941 (7th accross the International Date Line) G3Ms from the Mihoro Kokutai bombed Singapor from bases in Indochina, in one of the many aerial raids of the Battle of Singapore, causing the death of thousands of British and Asian civilians. That same day, Wake Island was also bombed by G3Ms belonging to the Chitose Kokutai causing serious damage to both civilian and US Navy infrastructure present on the atoll. Other G3Ms of that same Kokutai, based at Kwajalein Atoll stroke US Navy and civilian facilities at Howland Island, that same period.

The most famous strike this bomber took part on, along with the more advanced Mistubishi G4M, was in the sinking of two British Capital ships, HMS Prince of Wales (King George V-class Battleship) and HMS Repulse (Renown-class Battlecruiser) on 10th December 1941. Sixty G3Ms belonging to the Genzan and Minoro Kokutais, with 26 G4M of the Kanoya Kokutai, took off from bases in Indochina, found and sank the British ships which were steaming around Malayan coast without fighter protection. They were the first two capital ships to be sunk exclusively by air attack while at sea during war.

The attack on Darwin, Australia, took place on 19th February 1942. A force of 188 Japanese aircraft, among them 27 G3Ms of the 1st Kokutai, based at Ambon, in the Dutch East Indies, attacked the Australian port alongside 27 Mitsubishi G4M bombers. These followed a 81-strong first wave composed of Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters, Aichi D3A dive bombers and Nakajima B5N torpedo bombers.

Later in the war, on 29th January 1943, G3Ms of the 701st Kokutai managed to put two torpedoes into the American Heavy Cruiser USS Chicago, during the Battle of Rennell Island. The ship was sunk the next day by further torpedoes dropped by G4Ms. 

From 1943 until the end of the war, the G3M was greatly regarded as obsolete and most of them served as glider tugs, aircrew and paratroop trainers and VIP transport between Japanese home islands, occupied territories and front-lines.

After the war, it seems that some few of them were used by the Red Army of China during the late periods of the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) and also by the Indonesian Rebels during the Indonesian War of Independence (1945-1949). However, as we couldn't find pictures of G3Ms with those owners, both models, colours and information should be considered as speculative.

Sources:

1. http://all-aero.com/index.php/contactus/53-planes-l-m-n-o/6919-mitsubishi-g3m--ka-15--l3y

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_G3M

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_(aircraft)

4. http://www.aviastar.org/air/japan/yokosuka_l3y.php

Mitsubishi Ki-46, part one, foreign users

The Mitsubishi Ki-46 was a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured in Japan. It was used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force during World War II, but it also saw action with other Air Forces during and after World War II:

• Communist China: The Red Army of China Air Force (The aerial brand of the Communist faction during the latest stages of the Chinese Civil War between 1945-1949) had two Ki-46 in strength captured probably in Manchuria after the capitulation of Japan. They served as ground-attack aircraft and trainer respectively and they served until the early 1950s after the People's Republic of China was proclamated.
• United Kingdom: In September 1945 a Japanese Ki-46-IIIa based at Kahan airfield, in the Malayan peninsula, was performing a reconnaissance mission when he received an order from the British to hand the two aircraft used by his unit to the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South East Asia (ATAIU SEA) due to the capitulation of Japan.
  The aircraft were delivered without propellers, though and, in October 1945 the orders were given to restore those two aircraft to an airworthy condition. It wasn't until January-February 1946 that one of those flew to Seletar airport, in Singapore to receive new British roundels. It was later shipped to the United Kingdom and nowadays it can be seen at the RAF's Museum. 
• France: After the War, France obtained two Ki-46-IIK with an extra seat, which was used as a trainer by the Japanese. They were assigned to the Escadrille de Liaisons 99 (Liaison Squadron 99) which was based at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, in Saigon and it wasn't until late 1945 that they were operational again.
  An additional Ki-46-II was obtained and restored, after great effort, in February 1946 only to be written off nine months later. It seems that there was also a Ki-46-III, which is not clear how it was painted so we decided to draw both possible colour configurations, and it crashed during takeoff on its first French flight attempt.
  The Ki-46 were never used in their original role by the French and they were used more as high-speed staff shuttles than reconnaissance aircraft. They withdrawn at the end of 1947.
• United States of America: One Ki-46-II which operated from Hollandia (nowadays Jayapura) was captured by US Army Troops when they liberated the Hollandia area on 23rd April 1944. During September 1944 that aircraft was repaired by ground crews of the 5th Air Force, 3rd Attack Group, 89th Attack Squadron to an airworthy status. It was repainted with USAAF markings and the emblem of the 3rd Attack Group was painted in the nose.
  In January 1945 it was shipped to mainland USA aboard USS Attu (CVE-102). It was test-flown at US Navy's Base in Patuxtent, NAS Anacostia and Eglin Air Force Base. It suffered a taxiing accident at Eglin airfield and was, most probably, scrapped.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-46

2. http://www.traditions-air.fr/index.htm (translated)

3. https://captured-wings.wikia.org/wiki/C/n_2846

4. https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2015/08/30/wwii-japanese-aircraft-in-postwar-french-service/

5. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1989-0307-AF-MITSUBISHI-DINAH.pdf

6. Bunrin Do - Famous Airplanes of the World 38 - Mitsubishi Ki-46 (translated as much as possible)

Mitsubishi Ki-30 Foreign users, part one

The Mitsubishi Ki-30 was a Japanese light bomber of World War II that also served with other countries.

• France: After the end of the World War II, many Ki-30s were left behind in Indochina. French authorities pushed them into service and some of them served in liaision duties in the First Indochina War, with the Escadrille de Liaison 99 (Liaison Flight 99). Their fate is unknown, but they were most probably destroyed and/or scrapped.
• China: As the Ki-30 served in mainland China during World War II, and specially in the Manchurian region, when the region was taken over by the USSR in 1945 and handed over to Chinese Communists, three Ki-30s that were based there were taken over by Chinese Communist authorities, that set up a flying school using (along with many other types) Ki-30s in the city of Harbin (capital city of Manchuria). They served during the 1945-1949 period of the Chinese Civil War as trainers and were withdrawn from service in the early 1950s.
  EDIT: It seems that the Republic of China Air Force, also employed them, we found some photos and profiles and updated the drawings. Apparently, they were employed during the late stages of World War II in China and the subsequent Chinese Civil War.
• Indonesia: As another theatre of operation where the Ki-30s served was the Indonesia islands, some of them were captured by Indonesian rebels when the Japanese authorities left and pushed them into service with their newly created army. They served during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1945 until 1949. 

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-30
2. http://www.traditions-air.fr/index.htm (translated)

Mitsubishi Ki-15

The Mitsubishi Ki-15 was a Japanese reconnaisssance aircraft which was also used as a light attack bomber during the Second World War.
It was designed by Mitsubishi to meet a requirement from the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force of 1935 for a two-seat high-speed reconnaisssance aircraft. The design submitted by Mitsubishi was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed, spatted undercarriage which was similar to other all-metal designs of the early-to-mid 1930s like the Heinkel He.70 or the Northrop Alpha.
Initially it was powered by a single Nakajima Ha-8 radial engine which yielded 750hp of power at 4000m (13120ft) high. The first prototype made it to the air in May 1936 and testing proved succesful with the aircraft meeting all performance requirements and achieving a speed of 481km/h (299mph) showing, at the same time, good flying characteristics.
Service testing was completed without any difficulty and the type was ordered into production under the official denomination of Army Type 97 Command Reconnaisssance Plane Model 1. One year after the prototype flew for the first time, in May 1937, the first batch of 437 aircrafts was handed to the Imperial Japanese Army.
The first model, Ki-15-I, was rushed into operational service at the beginning of the second Sino-Japanese war in 1937. It proved very useful in Chinese soil, where it performed missions deep into Chinese strategic rear areas, reaching even the city of Lanzhou, located at the province of Gansu. It enjoyed a clear advantage thanks to its high speed, until the Chinese Air Force adquired the Polikarpov I-16. The Ki-15 was used in a wide variety of roles like level bombing, close support and photo reconnaissance before it was eventually replaced by the Mitsubishi Ki-30.
It's known that after the World War 2, the Chinese Communist Air Force, operated an unknown number of captured aircraft which were based in Manchuria. They were captured at the city of Harbin in June 1946 and by 1948 they were completely repaired and being used as trainers. They served in that role until 1951 when they were withdrawn.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-15
2. https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=890

Mitsubishi Ki-51

The Mitsubishi Ki-51 was a Japanese light bomber which, in the inmediate post-war, served with many nations.

• China: After the Japanese withdrawal from mainland China tons of equipment were left behind. Both communist and nationalist armies took them and pushed them into service. They served through the late stages of the Chinese Civil War, in the post 1945 period. Apparently, initialy the nationalists captured them, but they were soon captured by the communists some time after 1945 and after the war they were kept in service by the People's Liberation Army's Air Force until 1953. 
•  France: As the Ki-51 was mainly used in the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations, many of them were left behind in Indochina. After the Japanese withdrawal, local French authorities pushed some few of them into service (as most of them were damaged or derelicted beyond usage) and used them occasionaly in the First Indochina War in the liaison role, which, not in vain, they were assigned to a liaison squadron. 
• Indonesia: The Indonesian People's Security Force (IPSF), which was the Indonesian anti-Dutch militia that fought for independence, captured a small number of Ki-51s at numerous Japanese bases being the bigger one the one located at Malang, named Bugis Air Base which was evacuated on 18th September 1945. Most of the aircrafts were destroyed in the subsequent Indonesian Independence War which lasted from 1945 until 1949. It's known that at least one Ki-51 bombed Dutch troops on 29th July 1947.
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea: As Manchuria and Korea were important Japanese bases, after the USSR invaded in August 1945, they captured lots of Japanese equipment which, compared to Soviet ones, they were very outdated. As most of them were concentrated both in Harbin (capital of Manchuria), Port Arthur (nowadays Dalian) and Pyongyang, (which before the proclamation of North Korea was an important hub in the region) when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (AKA North Korea) was proclaimed on 9th September 1948, Soviet authorities allowed the newly Republic to have some Ki-51s. They were most probably used in the opening stages of the Korean War, however, most likely, they were destroyed soonly after. Anyway, we couldn't find any graphical evidence about them, the profile should be taken with a grain of salt.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-51

2. https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=892

Aichi E13 - Various foreign users

Today we bring you some foreign users of this Japanese seaplane.
The Aichi E13A was a long range reconnaissance seaplane that was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1941 to 1945 and then by numerous countries.

• Chinese Red Army: Apparently some of them were found derelict in Southern China, and they were employed by the Chinese Red Forces during the 1945-1949 period of the Chinese Civil War. As we couldn't find graphical evidence of these airplanes, the drawing should be considered as speculative. The fate of those airplanes is unknown, but they were, most likely, scrapped.
• Republic of Korea: In 1949 a single airplane was found in the isle of Jeju which was a former Japanese base. It was entirely painted in white to be evaluated. Later, in August of that same year, the markings of the Republic of Korea Air Force were added and it was tested in a wind tunnel in Seoul. In August 1950 it was moved to an airbase North of Seoul, in order to push it into service, however, it was completely destroyed when a North Korean bomber bombed the base. As we couldn't find graphical evidence, the drawing should be considered as speculative.
• New Zealand: In 1942 an airplane was captured by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, flown to Jacquinot Bay, in New Britain. It was entirely painted in white to be evaluated. However one of the floater broke, and started to leak. It wasn't repaired and it sank.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aichi_E13A

2. http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=443

3. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aichi_E13A (translated)