Ohka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MXY-7 Ohka |
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| 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").
Related pages
Images for kids
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US personnel disarming the warhead of an Ohka, Yontan Airfield, Okinawa, April 1945
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Thermojet powered Model 22; note the jet intake on the side just forward of the tail.
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Model 43 K-1 Kai rocket assist trainers; note the landing skid.
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Kugisho MXY7 Ohka Model 22
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Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka Model 11, on display at Indian Air Force Museum, Palam, New Delhi, India
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K-1 Ohka Trainer, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
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Thermojet powered, Model 22 Ohka. National Air and Space Museum
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The rear of Ohka, Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
See also
In Spanish: Yokosuka MXY-7 para niños
