Warplanes of the USA: Ohio, Dayton, National Museum of the USAF: Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka Trainer

Warplane Survivors USA: Ohio, Dayton, National Museum of the USAF: Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka Trainer

(USAAF Photo)

Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka Trainer.

(NMUSAF Photos)

Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka Trainer.  The Dai-ichi Kaigun Koku Gijitsusho (1st Naval Air Technical Arsenal) at Yokosuka, Japan, designed the MXY7-K1 to teach less experienced pilots to fly the Model 11 Ohka (Cherry Blossom) kamikaze suicide rocket bomb.  The Ohka was carried to the target under a G4M Betty bomber.  When the Betty/Ohka combination reaching Allied shipping, the Ohka pilot would detach, ignite the rocket motor, and dive into a ship.  This trainer version was carried aloft and then released for practice flights. Unlike the Ohka, the MXY7-K1 had a landing skid and flaps.  In place of the warhead and rocket motors of the Ohka, the MXY7-K1 used water ballast that was expelled before landing. Even so, it challenged novice pilots with its high, 130 mph landing speed.  A total of 45 MXY7-K1 trainers were completed by the end of the Second World War.

(USAAF Photo)

Ohka Model 43 K-1 Kai Wakazakura (若桜, "Young Cherry")Two-seat suicide attack glider trainer with flaps and retractable skid undercarriage, fitted with a single Type 4 Mark 1 Model 20 rocket motor, for limited powered flight.

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