Here Comes the "Betty"!

[Charge]

It also depends what version of Betty we get. Type 22 Otsu is supposed to have Type 99-2 dorsal cannon which has a heavier punch than type 99-1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_99_cannon

-C+

[Wmaker]

It will climb better than most other bombers because it was very light. However, being a bit stubby and being an early war plane it was underpowered (part of the effort for super long range was to reduce weight, another was to put range over speed) and would make 260mph give or take top speed.

Having a certain speed doesn't make an aircraft "underpowered" by itself. Betty has an excellent power to weight -ratio for a bomber and therefore also has an excellent climb rate for a bomber like you said. Betty-11 has a loaded weight of only 9500kg and has over 3000hp to move it.

[Soulyss]

Chock the entire debacle that the G4M was up to the IJN.

Agreed.  A lot of the Japanese high command's decisions and requirements for planes and other things were based on the belief that they wouldn't be fighting a prolonged general war.  The Betty was a result of such mentality as were some other aircraft.

ack-ack

Considering the G4M was a prewar design I'm not so sure it was such a foolish decision at the time, most major powers were designing bombers that were under gunned before the war since there was a few years there when bombers were routinely out performing and were faster than the fighters at the time.  Long range would have been a vary desirable attribute in the pacific theater as well.  Now it turns out that it was a very poor decision and the fact that they weren't able to make changes based on operational experience is a little shocking, but I don't think the initial decision and design was that far out of line with international thinking at the time.

[columbus]

the original betty



comes armed with 2 30lb bombs

[SmokinLoon]

the original betty

(Image removed from quote.)

comes armed with 2 30lb bombs

she gots a perty voice, too.   

Though, I bet they are not quite 30 bomb bombs.  Better that way, too.   

[Sikboy]

Finally, after years of waiting and wondering, AH players will soon have the opportunity to debate one of the greatest questions in flight sim history: Why the betties died.

-Sik

[Muzzy]

It's my understanding that Bettys tended to ignite pretty quickly.  I suppose we can look forward to a lot of pyrotechnics from now on.

[LLogann]

That is the G4M2 version 22.......   We are getting the G4M1 version 11. 

It also depends what version of Betty we get. Type 22 Otsu is supposed to have Type 99-2 dorsal cannon which has a heavier punch than type 99-1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_99_cannon

-C+

[Muzzy]

I can call you Betty, and Betty when you call me you can call me Al.

[Ack-Ack]

ack-ack

[BrownBaron]

It's my understanding that Bettys tended to ignite pretty quickly.  I suppose we can look forward to a lot of pyrotechnics from now on.

This may or may not be due to the fact that the craft traded performance for armour and surviveability, going so far as to make the surface of the fuselage part of the skin of fuel tanks.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

"We have a fireball"

[Ruah]

oh, more Japanese matchsticks - gonna be fun!!

[betty]

the original betty

(Image removed from quote.)

comes armed with 2 30lb bombs

wow.....my pic shows up on a plane thread??? thats just crazy! lol

[columbus]

wow.....my pic shows up on a plane thread??? thats just crazy! lol

LOL theres a betty i would like to FLY!