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Ohka facts for kids

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MXY-7 Ohka
Japanese Ohka rocket plane.jpg
Ohka Model 11 replica at the Yasukuni Shrine Yūshūkan war museum.
Role Kamikaze anti-ship aircraft / missile
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal
First flight 21 March 1944 (unpowered), November 1944 (powered).
Introduction 1945
Retired 1945
Status Retired
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Produced 1944–1945
Number built 852

The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (櫻花, Ōka, "cherry blossom"; 桜花 in modern orthography) was a purpose-built, rocket-powered human-guided kamikaze attack-aircraft deployed by Japan against Allied ships in the Pacific Ocean theater towards the end of World War II. Although extremely fast, the Ohka had a very short range, so it had to be carried into action as a parasite aircraft by a much larger bomber, which was itself vulnerable to carrier-borne fighters. In action during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, Ohkas succeeded in sinking or damaging some escort-vessels and transport ships, but never sank any major warships. The Japanese developed improved versions in an attempt to overcome the aircraft's shortcomings, but they came too late for deployment.

Allied personnel referred to the aircraft as "Baka Bombs" (baka being a Japanese pejorative term meaning "fool").

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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Yokosuka MXY-7 para niños

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