Japan's Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (cherry blossom) suicide attack plane
Allied code name: Baka
Photos
Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka: |
Mitsubishi Betty carrying an Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka: |
Design
The Ohka was developed by an Imperial Japanese Navy officer starting in the summer of 1944.1,2
The Ohka was to be attached to a large aircraft, usually a G4M2e, would then carry it to near it's target and then release it.1,2
Wood was the primary construction material of the Ohka.1
Prototype
The first unpowered flight was in October 1944.1 In November 1944 powered flights were conducted.1
Production
- Yokosuka Model 11: 7551,2
- Production: September 1944 - March 19451
- Yokosuka Model 22: 501
- Yokosuka Model K-1: 451
- Yokosuka Model 43 K-1 KAI: 21
- Total: 8521,2
- Manufacturer: Dai-Ichi Kaigun Koku Gijitsusho2
Variants
- Yokosuka Model 11:
- Yokosuka Model 22: Turbojet powered.1
- Yokosuka Model K-1: Trainer.1 Had water ballast in the nose.1
- Yokosuka Model 43 K-1 KAI: Two seat trainers.1
Usage
On March 21, 1945, the first Ohka mission was flown.1 Mitsubishi G4M bombers carried 16 Ohkas and were intercepted by United States Navy Hellcats.1 All the G4Ms were shot down and all the Ohkas crashed into the sea.1
On April 1, 1945, the USS West Virginia and three transports were damaged by Ohkas.1,2 The USS Mannert L Abele was sunk on April 12, 1945, off of Okinawa, which became the first Allied ship sunk.1,2
Specifications
| Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka1 | Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka Model 111,2 | Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka Model 121 | Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka Model 221 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Suicide attack1 | Suicide plane | ||
| Crew | 11 | |||
| Engine (Type) | 3: Type 4 Mk 1 Mod. 20 rockets2 3: Type 4 Mark 1 Model 21 solid fuel1 |
1: Tsu-11 turbojet1 | ||
| Thrust | 1,750 lb2, 1,764 lb1 | 550 lb1 | ||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 16' 9"2, 16' 9.5"1 5.12 m1 |
13' 6.25"1 4.12 m1 |
||
| Length | 19' 10.75"1, 19' 11"2 6.06 m1 |
22' 7"1 6.88 m1 |
||
| Height | 3' 9"1, 3' 10"2 1.14 m1 |
3' 9.25"1 1.15 m1 |
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| Wing area | ||||
| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 970 lb1 440 kg1 |
1,202 lb1 545 kg1 |
||
| Loaded | 4,718 lb1,2 2,140 kg1 |
3,197 lb1 1,450 kg1 |
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| Performance | ||||
| Speed | 403 mph1 648 kph1 |
276 mph1 445 kph1 |
||
| Speed @ 11,485' | 403 mph2 | |||
| Dive speed | 576 mph1,2 927 kph1 |
|||
| Range | 23 miles1,2 37 km1 |
80 miles1 128 km1 |
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| Armament | ||||
| Explosives | 2,646 lb1,2 1,200 kg1 |
1,323 lb1 600 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
