Harada Restoration Mitsubishi G4M2 "Betty" - July 2013

[Jesse C.]

I wonder how much of it is being rebuilt to airworthy, if at all.

Thanks for posting this!

[Warbird Kid]

Hey... if they can build one.....


Great progress all around! Will they be building the wings as well?

[DaveM2]

It isn't being built to air worthy

Here is an update we did back in March in Issue #88 for CW News

ENTER THE DRAGON
Nobuo Harada continues to work on the fuselage of his G4M2 Betty bomber, the rear of which emanates from c/n 12017 which was built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works during October 1943. Nobuo has decided to mark the aircraft based on one of the few surviving photos of a Model 22, the legend on the tail translating as ‘Dragon 41.’
Nobuo started this massive project in 1989 when he was able to recover the tail section from one of the Pacific Islands. The next decade saw him rebuild the wreck, most of the original structure able to be reused. The problem thereafter was that he had no forward fuselage to attach it to! He had been trying to secure a nose section since 1980 but this was ultimately unsuccessful and so decided he would have to build one from scratch. Following five years of research he embarked on this section in 2001. This was not a straight forward task as he had to work from a single profile drawing alone. Now completed, Nobuo intends to fit the bomber out internally as much as possible, and has already fitted replica 20mm guns in the top fuselage and tail positions. If anyone is able to help Nobuo with parts in order that he can complete his vision of displaying one of Japan’s most important wartime aircraft in its homeland, please contact the CW office.

[Dan K]

Continued kudos to Harada-san for being the driving force behind anything resembling a warbird restoration movement in Japan.

One wonders if he's ever considered shipping the A6Ms to the US or Antipodes for a visit to see them airborne...would be quite the treat for fans!

Dave, have you ever broached the subject?

[JFS61]

Shame that the various local governments in the South Pacific have basically put a stop to the exporting of warbirds, as there is more than enough material remaining to build a composite Betty (along a number of other types). Sadly, it appears that we'll have to be content to watch what remains of these rare birds continue to rot away into the jungle.

[DaveM2]

Dan

Yes we have broached the subject and have courted him about bringing his Zero down for Classic Fighters. We got close, but it didn't work out. There is always 2015 though!

Dave

[Dan K]

Dan

Yes we have broached the subject and have courted him about bringing his Zero down for Classic Fighters. We got close, but it didn't work out. There is always 2015 though!

Dave

Appreciate the effort, Dave!

Now "Keep Calm And Apply Constant Pressure".

[PbyCat-Guy]

I think it would be great to see a P-38 and Betty flying in formation together. For being born in '82 I was born 40 years too late.

[Warbird Kid]

What would be a good American radial substitute to install on our hypothetical new-build Betty? R-2800? R-1830?

[Tom Moungovan]

Regarding Betty parts in the South Pacific, I saw some on Guadalcanal when I visited there in Sept. of 2007. When you think of how many that were lost during combat, there's got to be more that islanders are aware of.

[Warbird Kid]

Just reviving a really cool thread and seeing if anyone knows of any progress since the last update?

[Scott Rose]

Just reviving a really cool thread and seeing if anyone knows of any progress since the last update?

Thanks Chris, missed this one first time around.

[mike furline]

Slightly off topic....NASM's G4M.

[Elwyn]

Wow! Except for a few spots the interior looks practically new.

[DH82EH]

Slightly off topic....

Definitely forgiven

Great pics

Thanks

Andy