https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokosuka_MXY7_Ohka
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (?? Oka?, "cherry blossom"; ?? in modern orthography)
was a purpose-built, rocket powered human-guided anti-shipping kamikaze attack
plane employed by Japan towards the end of World War II. United States sailors
gave the aircraft the nickname Baka (Japanese for "fool" or "idiot").
The MXY-7 Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka was a manned flying bomb that was usually
carried underneath a Mitsubishi G4M2e "Betty" Model 24J bomber to within range
of its target. On release, the pilot would first glide towards the target and
when close enough he would fire the Ohka's three solid-fuel rockets, one at a
time or in unison, and fly the missile towards the ship that he intended to
destroy.
The design was conceived by Ensign Mitsuo Ohta of the 405th Kokutai, aided by
students of the Aeronautical Research Institute at the University of Tokyo. Ohta
submitted his plans to the Yokosuka research facility. The Imperial Japanese
Navy decided the idea had merit and Yokosuka engineers of the Yokosuka Naval Air
Technical Arsenal (Dai-Ichi Kaigun Koku Gijitsusho, or in short Kugisho) created
formal blueprints for what was to be the MXY7. The only variant which saw
service was the Model 11, and it was powered by three Type 4 Mark 1 Model 20
rockets. 155 Ohka Model 11s were built at Yokosuka, and another 600 were built
at the Kasumigaura Naval Air Arsenal.
Role
Kamikaze aircraft
National origin
Japan
Manufacturer
Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal
First flight
October 1944 (unpowered), November 1944 (powered).
Introduction
1945
Retired
1945
Primary user
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Produced
Number built
852
The Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka was used mostly against U.S. ships invading Okinawa, and
if launched from its mothership, could be effective because of its high speed in
the dive. In the first two attempts to transport the Ohkas to Leyte Gulf using
aircraft carriers, the carriers Shinano and Unryu were sunk by the U.S.
submarines Archer-Fish and Redfish.
Attacks intensified in April 1945. On 1 April 1945, six "Bettys" attacked the
U.S. fleet off Okinawa. At least one made a successful attack; its Ohka was
thought to have hit one of the 406 mm (16 in) turrets on the battleship West
Virginia, causing moderate damage. Postwar analysis indicated that no hits were
recorded and that a near-miss took place. The transports Alpine, Achernar, and
Tyrrell were also hit by kamikaze aircraft, but it is unclear whether any of
these were Ohkas from the other "Bettys". None of the "Bettys" returned.
The U.S. military quickly realized the danger and concentrated on extending
their "defensive rings" outward to intercept the "Betty"/Ohka combination
aircraft before the suicide mission could be launched. On 12 April 1945, nine
"Bettys" attacked the U.S. fleet off Okinawa. The destroyer Mannert L. Abele was
hit, broke in two, and sank, witnessed by LSMR-189 CO James M. Stewart. Jeffers
destroyed an Ohka with AA fire 45 m (50 yd) from the ship, but the resulting
explosion was still powerful enough to cause extensive damage, forcing Jeffers
to withdraw. The destroyer Stanly was attacked by two Ohkas. One struck above
the waterline just behind the ship's bow, its charge passing completely through
the hull and splashing into the sea, where it detonated underwater, causing
little damage to the ship. The other Ohka narrowly missed (its pilot probably
killed by anti-aircraft fire) and crashed into the sea, knocking off the
Stanly's ensign in the process. One Betty returned. On 14 April 1945, seven
"Bettys" attacked the U.S. fleet off Okinawa. None returned. None of the Ohkas
appeared to have been launched. Two days later, six "Bettys" attacked the U.S.
fleet off Okinawa. Two returned, but no Ohkas had hit their targets. Later, on
28 April 1945, four "Bettys" attacked the U.S. fleet off Okinawa at night. One
returned. No hits were recorded.
Specifications (Model 11)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 6.06 m (19 ft 11 in)
Height: 1.16 m (3 ft 9? in)
Empty weight: 440 kg (970 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,140 kg (4,718 lb)
(587 lbf) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 804 km/h in dive (576 mph in dive
Dive speed (3 Rocket motors at Full-Boost): 1,040 km/h (650 mph))
Range: 36 km (23 mi)
Thrust/weight: 0.38
Armament
1,200 kg (2,646 lb) Ammonal warhead
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