Mitsubishi G6M
| G6M | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Heavy fighter |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service |
| Number built | 30 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1940 |
| Developed from | Mitsubishi G4M |
The Mitsubishi G6M was a Japanese heavy fighter developed during World War II for use as an escort fighter or escort gunship (similar to the American YB-40) by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. It was a derivative of the Mitsubishi G4M, a medium bomber, with added forward-firing offensive cannon armament, additional armour, and an increased crew size of ten. Despite its intended role and largely due to poor performance, the G6M1 never saw combat as an escort fighter; instead, the produced units served as training and transport aircraft.