Mitsubishi B4M

Overview

The Mitsubishi Ka-12 or B4M was a Japanese carrier-based torpedo bomber of 1934. Two prototypes were built by Mitsubishi for the Imperial Japanese Navy. A development of the company's 3MT10 of 1932, the design differed primarily in the use of a radial engine and metal wing, which made the whole aircraft significantly lighter and faster. However, the design could not realise its potential as the wing was inefficiently stiff and the B4M was not selected for production. The competing Yokosuka B4Y was chosen to serve on the Navy's aircraft carriers instead.