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  G3M2 Nell Manufacture Number ? Tail 65
IJN
? Kōkūtai

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USMC November 1943

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USMC c1943

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi. At the factory, painted with green upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 96 Land Based Attack Bomber / G3M Rikko (Nell) manufacture number unknown.

Wartime History
Assigned to an unknown Kōkūtai (Air Group). Tail number "65" with a horizontal white stripe above the tail number. This Nell operated from Tarawa Airfield. This bomber sustained damage and was abandoned in the bone yard area.

Wreckage
On November 20, 1943 after the US Marine Corps (USMC) landing on Tarawa this Nell was captured in a bone yard area at Tarawa Airfield. After the battle, the wreckage was picked over for souvenirs by U.S. personnel. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
J-Aircraft "IJN Land-Based Bomber Units & Formation Markings, 1940~1945: Parts I-IX"

Thanks to Jim Lansdale for additional information

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Last Updated
June 27, 2023

 

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