G4M3 "Betty" Model 34
Color Detail Series - Photographs by Ron Cole c. 1992 @ Silver Hill
Color Detail Series - Photographs by Ron Cole c. 1992 @ Silver Hill
| As I remember it, my opportunity to capture these images went pretty much like this: The tour guide swept us along the seemingly endless line of extraordinary aircraft without hardly a moment's pause. But we're model-makers, I wanted to shout. Yet I didn't want to be rude, and we were already getting special treatment insofar as we were being allowed behind the red ropes surrounding everything. Our little crowd lurched forward again, past more treasures. Then my eye caught it: Japanese Navy green poked out from behind a severed wing! Something I cared about was behind there, and we were getting closer. I hadn't expected to encounter the largest piece of the world's only surviving "Betty" bomber, but there it sat - everything forward of the ball turret. But the tour guide didn't say a thing about it, passing it by without a halt - onward towards the Arado float plane and an exit door. I stopped to tie my shoe - my right slip-on loafer - miming the motions. "Now here we have the illustrious blah, blah, blah . . . " the guide's voice trailed off around the corner and out of sight. My father, towards the end of the group, gave me his 'What are you doing?' backwards glance. Then he was gone with the rest of the tour. But once alone, I hurriedly went to work with my camera and notepad . I bailed under the evil red rope to inspect my newfound friend. Well, I thought, what is the worst thing that could happen to me? Such was my attitude about almost everything. |
| The interior of Silver Hill's G4M3 has been preserved mostly intact, and without post-war Allied mechanical or paint modifications (indicating that it was likely never test-flown in the States). This image - taken from aft looking into the main crew area - reveals several noteworthy elements: The aircraft's crew area was painted with the typical late-war 'Mitsubishi' bamboo green - while there is not a trace of translucent blue-green preservative anywhere (nor evident under the bamboo paint). This contrasts with the G4M tail section in the Harada Collection - which was restored using gloss clear overcoat throughout. A range of cockpit colors are represented. Note that the seats for pilot and co-pilot - while identical in design, besides the pilot getting armor plate - are two very different colors! |
| (LEFT) Evidence of the torch. Because the aircraft was too big to fit on a railroad car for shipment, only the nose and tail were saved from the scrappers. Cardboard boxes contain loose equipment and instruments. The tail section is stored elsewhere - I never saw it. |
| (LEFT and RIGHT) Other shots from aft, revealing seat details and colors. The armor plate was unpainted steel that had well rusted over the years. Since it appeared to be removable via clamps on either side of the seat, it's possible that the co-pilot may have enjoyed at least the option of bullet protection - but the plate is missing. Radio and instrument-mounting components were any of three colors: black, bamboo green, and a weird brown-green that resembles a commonly used Army vehicle color (see also: below). |
| Broken glass seemed to be the worst fate endured by the cockpit over the years, as can be seen with instruments, compass, and cockpit lighting reflectors. The main instrument panel was painted with a very brownish green that I have not seen among other Japanese aircraft. Only those areas that housed glass-faced instruments, including small panels in the nose section, were painted in this color. To me the shade is very close to an Army color encountered on equipment - including many helmets. The late war bamboo green that Mitsubishi was known to have used for 'crew areas' is obvious on the control sticks and throttle quadrant. Note that it's a bit more bluish in color than encountered on most Zeros, and appears quite identical to the cockpit color of the J7W1 Shinden. |
A lot of wood was utilized in the cockpit of this G4M3: the control knobs, as well as adjustment
wheels, having been tooled from wood. Most of the instruments appear to be original to this
airframe (for once). Some are missing, but are being stored in cardboard boxes.
Note that the pilot seat was painted to match the rest of the cockpit, while the co-pilot seat was
coated with a dramatically different blue-grey - that curiously matches only the jump seat .
wheels, having been tooled from wood. Most of the instruments appear to be original to this
airframe (for once). Some are missing, but are being stored in cardboard boxes.
Note that the pilot seat was painted to match the rest of the cockpit, while the co-pilot seat was
coated with a dramatically different blue-grey - that curiously matches only the jump seat .
| (RIGHT and 2 IMAGES BELOW) There are more color variations in this aircraft forward of the instrument panel - despite Mitsubishi's reputation for overcoating sub-contracted parts in their uniform bamboo green. Navigator's wooden 'school-like' desk has been dislocated slightly from its position, and the 'trashcan lid' bombardier's seat is uprooted from its nearby mount. Otherwise this crew area is quite complete - still retaining its various instruments and radio boxes. |
| (BOTTOM 5 IMAGES) Very close (but I was very careful) inspection from inside the nose quarters reveals details: Every panel containing glass-faced instruments was painted brown-green. The bamboo green was sprayed-on very thinly, as can be seen below: a lot of unprimed aluminum is showing through the overcoat. |
(RIGHT and BELOW)
The exterior of this G4M3 had been preserved by the US Navy for
long-term storage prior to the decision to cut it up - as can be seen
by the once-covered glass and black sealant. The number 2205
was given to this "Betty" by the Navy. This section's experience of
outside storage is also obvious by the faded upper surfaces.
The exterior of this G4M3 had been preserved by the US Navy for
long-term storage prior to the decision to cut it up - as can be seen
by the once-covered glass and black sealant. The number 2205
was given to this "Betty" by the Navy. This section's experience of
outside storage is also obvious by the faded upper surfaces.
| It was fortunate for me that my happy encounter with the only G4M3 in the world remained uninterrupted, and I later caught-up with the rest of the tour in time to repeat my tactics upon encountering "Grace." I learned later on that a few other individuals with this tour had similarly "lost themselves" at Silver Hill that day - only to miss the bus back to the convention center and get stuck out there for several hours. Hmmm . . . cunning fellows! But as the story went, they were quarantined in an auxiliary office where the only display was a pile of original fuzzy 'Tribbles' from Star Trek under glass. -Ron Cole, 2007 |