IJNAF Aircraft - Oppama Base, Yokosuka pt.1 - Mitsubishi G4M "Betty"

 A NARA video, spotted in the "Showakan Digital Archive" by "Shu".

We will examine stills from the clip aircraft type by aircraft type, starting with the G4M "Bettys".

This will be our main reference photo, a classic from NARA.

The "Bettys" numbered for reference.

This is the first "Betty" that can be seen in the clip. It's a G4M3 Model 34 and it belonged to the Yokosuka Kokutai with tail marking (most probably) "ヨ-822" (Yo-822). Note that the tail marking is in black with two bands above it and the most unusual white lines on the tail but also, the closest to the tail fin on both sides, extending to the fuselage. I have never seen this on another aircraft.

This "Betty" is number #2 in the previous reference photo. Obviously, the aircraft had been moved around and changed positions. In the color film, what looks like a different kind of gray camouflage on the fuselage, is nothing else but weathering exposing the metal, as can be confirmed by the reference photo.

A closeup of "Betty" number #2 from the reference photo. Note again the white line extending from the tail to the fuselage.

The tail of "Betty" number #2 from a different photo (see following photo caption), revealing the last number of its tail marking.

The next "Betty" in the video is number #3 in the reference photo.

It does not seem to have any tail marking although a "ヨ" (Yo) is barely visible, indicating that perhaps the white tail markings were overpainted.

The same still with the strong brown/purple hue downplayed and the green brought forward.

Closeup of "Betty" number #3 from the reference photo.

In this cropped still, the "Betty" in the foreground is quite difficult to identify but it could be number #6 in the reference photo. In the background is number #5 and we can confirm that the tail marking was in yellow, not white.

Closeup of "Betty" number #6. It does not seem to have a tail number but a "Yo" is barely visible. Does the dorsal turret still have its 20mm cannon?

Closeup of "Betty" number #5. Of particular interest is the removal of the dorsal turret and the fairing. Tail marking is "3-破" an aircraft that belonged to the 706 Kokutai, Kogeki 704 Hikotai that was to take part in "Operation Tsurugi" (or "Operation Ken").

The next "Betty" is also quite difficult to identify but it could be number #1 as it's the only one with the brown fabric covering the canopy.

A closeup of "Betty" number #1 from the first reference photo.

"Betty" number #1 from a different reference photo (see following photo caption)

The weathering fuselage pattern leaves no doubt that this is another photo of "Betty" number #1 but note that the fabric covers have been positioned differently and the port propeller has not been removed. Note also in this and previous photo, the white line on the tail extending to the fuselage and the mysterious "A12" scratched or painted on the fuselage side. In this photo, part of the tail marking is visible, "Yo-82?", the last digit could be a "3". Two bands above the tail number. (photo from here)

Here's the second reference photo, from NARA, featuring more "Bettys" not seen in the first reference photo. 

Although slightly different, this "Betty" in the clip looks very similar to either Number #7 or #8 in the previous reference photo.

"Betty" number #7

"Betty" Number #8. Judging from the shape of the tail gun position, it seems to be a G4M2 Model 24. Maybe number #7 too?

A "Betty" not seen in the clip is number #4 in the first reference photo. The tail marking is quite clear, "ヨ-308" (Yo-308).

"Betty" number #4 from a different angle. Note the most unusual paint under the wing and the mysterious whatchamacallit under the machine gun position on the port fuselage side.

The "Bettys" in the clip and in the photos were not the only ones found at Oppama. Here's a G4M1 of the Yokosuka Kokutai (photo from here)

And last but not least, in this NARA photo, we can see two "Bettys" in the foreground. From their position relative to the "Suisei", they could be "Bettys" #5 and #6 in the first reference photo. But take a closer look at the tail marking of the "Betty" on the left. It has a white "ヨ" (yo) and a white band above it. No "Bettys" in any of the photos have white tail markings, except for the one in the previous photo, so perhaps this one is a completely different one added to the lineup at a later stage or removed at an earlier stage.