4 Engine Japanese Heavy Bomber

[Graeme]

Another 4-engined Japanese bomber, the Mitsubishi Ki-20. (yes..I know, I know).
But it was still around in 1940!

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by Twitch

MITSUBISHI
Beyond the excellent G8M1 “Rita” 4-engine bomber tested in the post-war US, the G7M1 Taizan Type 16 project was drawn up for a high speed bomber able to carry a lighter payload shorter distances. A crew of five rode in a comfortable 65.6-foot fuselage. Four Mitsubishi Ha.42 Model 31 18-cylinder radials of 2,400 HP each turned on the 82-foot wings. All up the compact bomber weighed 35,200 lbs.

This is interesting. I concur that the majority of web sites describe the Taizan as a four engined bomber project, but some quote Rene J Francillion, calling it Mitsubishi's twin-engined Navy Experimental 16-Shi Attack Bomber project. The project was the same size as the G4M.

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

Interesting if the Japanese had put forth a bomber larger than the B-29. Would it have cost them more than it cost us?

[syscom3]

Originally Posted by Soundbreaker Welch?

Interesting if the Japanese had put forth a bomber larger than the B-29. Would it have cost them more than it cost us?

Depends on what they would have used it for....Mine laying missions or harrasment bombings of the small islands might have paid some dividends.