Luftwaffe Mitsubishi G4M "Reisschüssel", KG100, August 1940

[nönöbär]

Luftwaffe Mitsubishi G4M "Reisschüssel", KG100, August 1940

The Plane:

In Spring of 1939, Germany and Japan signed a cooperation in assisting each other in aircraft development. As part of this agreement, Luftwaffe testpilots were allowed to test new Japanese Army or Navy aircraft, and Japanese pilots were able to do the same with Luftwaffe aircraft at Rechlin.
 
After the Mitsubishi G4M made its maiden flight in October 1939, it was first flown by Luftwaffe Leutnanet Hohlmann in January 1940. The Luftwaffe was impressed by the huge range of the plane which was more than twice than those of German Heinkel 111 or Junkers Ju 88.
 
In Summer 1940 - after the fall of France - the Luftwaffe shifted its main focus on Britain. While the German standard bombers were only able to attck the southern part of Britain, the G4M opened new opportunities to enhance the air attack over the complete British Islands.
Therefore, Germany tried buy the G4M from Japan where it just had entered production. As the usage of those planes in the Luftwaffe could be used as a operational test, Japan agreed to this proposal.
 
In late July 1940, 24 Mitsubishi G4M were flown form Japan to Germany, using several stops in the Soviet Union. Soon called with the nickname "Reisschüssel" - "Rice bowl" - the aircraft formed the 3rd group of the newly created KG 100.
 
The usage of the Mitsubishi G3M was a surprise for the RAF. During the Luftwaffe attacks on Southern England, small groups of G4Ms - 6-10 planes - focused on targets in mid and north Britain. Although they could only do smaller damages, the psychological effect on the British population was much bigger.
This forces the RAF to pull out several fighters form Southern England to engage the incoming Reisschüsseln.
Often, the G3M were escorted by Luftwaffe Zeros as they were the only fighters to provide long range protection. However, when the attacks of RAF fighters got more intense, it got obvious that the Mitsubishis were very vulnerable against enemy fire  as they were only very lightly protected. As a result, 80% of the G4Ms were lost during the Battle of Britain.
 
The remaining aircraft were then pulled out of normal operation duty and used for special operations. By 1944, only 3 G4M were left, all of those then operated in the KG200.
 
The Model shows a Luftwaffe Mitsubishi G4M "Reisschüssel" in August 1940.




Luftwaffe G4M with He 111 (die-cast model)


Luftwaffe G4M with Japanese G4M (die-cast model)



The Model:

The model is a Academy 1/144 kit, build OOB. Decals are from Paddinghaus and the model is painted with Revel Aqua Color.

[DogfighterZen]

Looks good, nice work!

[NARSES2]

That works for me 

[Army of One]

Great story and lovely finish to the kit..... .......any chance of an escort you mentioned......?

[Captain Canada]

Nice little story and the model looks right at home in Luftwaffe colours !

[comrade harps]

Neat 

[nönöbär]

Great story and lovely finish to the kit..... .......any chance of an escort you mentioned......?

You mean the Luftwaffe Zeros? Well, here you are: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,39028.msg643194.html#msg643194

As its in 1/72 scale, IO cannot put it beside the G4M