| Kugisho | |||
|
|||
|
MXY7 Ohka Model 22 |
|||
 |
|||
|
Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Chantilly, Virginia |
|||
|
Near the
end of World War II, Vice Admiral Onishi Takijino
recommended that the Japanese navy form special groups of
men and aircraft to attack the American warships gathering
to conduct amphibious landings in the Philippines. The
Japanese used the word Tokko-tai (Special Attack) to
describe these units. To the Allies, they became known as
the kamikaze. By war's end, some 5,000 pilots died making
Tokko attacks. The Ohka (Cherry Blossom) was designed to allow a pilot with minimal training to drop from a Japanese "Betty" bomber at high altitude and guide his aircraft with its warhead at high speed into an Allied warship. While several rocket-powered Ohka 11s still exist, this Ohka 22 is the only surviving "Campini" jet-powered version of the aircraft. It was captured in Japan in 1945. Unlike the Ohka 11, the Ohka 22 never became operational. Dimensions: Overall: 120 x 690cm, 545kg, 410cm (3ft 11 1/4in. x 22ft 7 5/8in., 1201.5lb., 13ft 5 7/16in.) Materials: All-metal monocoque construction Physical Description: Single-seat, all-metal monocoque construction and conventional layout with low wing and twin vertical fins and rudders, powered by "Campini" jet engine Source: Smithsonian Air & Space Museum |
