Mitsubishi J8M / KI-200

The Mitsubishi J8M Shūsui, was a Japanese World War II rocket-powered interceptor aircraft closely based on the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.

Variants

Ki-200

An interceptor variant for the IJAAS, almost identical to the IJNAS J8M

J8M1

Rocket-powered interceptor aircraft closely based on the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.

J8M2 Shūsui Model 21

Long-range version for Navy, identical to J8M1, but armament reduced to a single 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon.

J8M3 Shūsui Model 22  / Rikugun Ki-202 Shūsui-kai

Long-range version for Army and Navy, with fuselage and wingspan lengthened to 7.10 m (23 ft 3 in) and 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in) respectively, powered by 19.6 kN (4,410 lbf) Tokuro-3, projected maximum speed 900 km/h (560 mph).

Yokosuka MXY-8 Akigusa / Yokoi Ku-13

Training glider using J8M air frame for Navy and Army.

Yokosuka MXY-9 Shuka

Training version using J8M airframe, powered by Tsu-11 Thermojet engine.

Specifications

J8M1 / J8M2 / Ki-200

Crew

1

Span 

9.50 m (31 ft) 9.47 m (31 ft)

Length 

6.03 m (20 ft) 5.88 m (19 ft)

Height 

2.68 m (9 ft) 2.68 m (9 ft)

Wing area 

17.72 m2 (191 sq ft) 17.69 m2 (190 sq ft)

Wing loading 

219.22 kg/m2 (44.9 lb/ft2) 219.70 kg/m2 (45 lb/ft2) 

Empty weight 

1,445 kg (3,186 lb) 1,510 kg (3,329 lb) 1,505 kg (3,318 lb)

Loaded 

3,000 kg (6,614 lb) 3,650 kg (8,047 lb)

Maximum 

3,870 kg (8,532 lb) 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) 3,870 kg (8,532 lb)

Useful load 

1,545 kg (3,406 lb) 2,140 kg (4,718 lb)     

Fuel capacity 

T-Stoff = 1,181 l (260 imp gal)

C-Stoff = 522 l (115 imp gal)

Armament 

Guns

2x Type 5 30mm cannon, 2x Type 5 30mm cannon, 2x Ho-155 30mm cannon or 2x Ho-5 20mm cannon

Capacity 

53 rounds per gun

Performance

Powerplant 

One Toku-Ro.2 (KR10) bi-fuel rocket motor developing 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) of thrust.

Liquid-propellant      

T-Stoff = 80% Hydrogen Peroxide + 20% Oxyquinoline and Pyrophosphates

C-Stoff = 30% Hydrazine Hydrate + 70% Methanol, Water and Potassium – Copper Cyanides

Max speed

900 km/h (559 mph) at 10,000 m (32,808 ft)

Cruise speed 

699 km/h (434 mph) 351 km/h (218 mph)

Landing speed 

150 km/h (93 mph)            

Range 

3 min 06 seconds of powered flight, 2 min 30 seconds of powered flight

Max range 

5 min 30 seconds of powered flight, 7 min of powered flight.

Climb 

2,000 m (6,562 ft) in 40 seconds

4,000 m (13,123 ft) in 2 minutes 08 seconds

8,000 m (26,247 ft) in 3 minutes 08 seconds

10,000 m (32,808 ft) in 3 minutes 50 seconds               

10,000 m (32,808 ft) in 3 minutes 40 seconds

Rate of climb 

43.47 m/s (8,557 ft/min), 45.45 m/s (8,947 ft/min)

Ceiling 

12,000 m (39,370 ft).