The Imperial Japanese Navy requested a fast, long-range bomber from Mitsubishi that could carry either bombs or a torpedo capable of sinking a battleship. That’s quite a wish list and Mitsubishi answered with the G3M Type 96 Rikko (allied code name “Nell”) in 1935. The design followed the “light weight” philosophy as used on early fighter aircraft, i.e. - no defensive armor or self-sealing fuel tanks. It's great range made it the world's first intercontinental bomber and G3Ms would fly missions from Taiwan (formerly Formosa) and western Japan into China. The design and range worked well during the Second Sino-Japanese War of the late 1930s, but by the start of World War II, the G3M was considered slow and required fighter escort. The Rikko was an effective torpedo bomber and was part of the attack force that sank HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse in 1941 as well as the USS Chicago in 1943. Unlike allied bombers, the G3M carried its bombs or torpedo externally. The G3M underwent several revisions from its introduction until the end of the war in 1945. The refinements were mainly with defensive armament, fuel capacity and engines. The G3M2 Model 22 shown here was fitted with more powerful Mitsubishi Kensei 41 engines, increased fuel capacity, and an additional dorsal turret. The G3M’s design was flexible enough to allow it to be used as a transport, paratroop trainer, glider tug and reconnaissance plane. A total of 1,048 G3M aircraft were built by Mitsubishi (636) and under license by Nakajima (412). During the late 1930s and early months of WWII, the G3M would encounter Curtiss P-36 Hawk and P-40 Tomahawk fighters. Later the G3Ms would have to face even more formidable opponents. Here's a short video of me flying a F4F Wildcat against a group of G3M bombers with fighter escorts.
 

 Class: Medium Bomber

 Crew: 7

 Engine: 2 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 41 14-cylinder twin-row radial (1,075 hp each)

 Max Speed: 233 mph at 13,715 ft

 Climb Rate:  1,186 ft/min

 Service Ceiling: 29,950 ft

 Range: 2,720 miles

  Model Scale:  1:120