The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka was a purpose-built, rocket-powered human-guided kamikaze attack aircraft employed by Japan against Allied ships towards the end of the Pacific War during World War II.
Although extremely fast, the very short range of the Ohka meant that 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 were able to sink or damage some escort vessels and transport ships, but no major warships were ever sunk.
Improved versions which attempted to overcome the aircraft’s shortcomings were developed too late to be deployed.
Allied troops referred to the aircraft as “Baka Bombs”.
Variants
MXY-7
Rocket powered suicide attacker, unpowered glider prototypes; ten built
Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka Model 11
Long designation of the operational attacker
Ohka Model 11
Suicide attacker powered by 3 × 2.616 kN (588 lbf) Navy Type 4 Mark 1 Model 20 solid-fuelled rocket motors, firing for 8–10 seconds; 755 built
Ohka Model 21
Suicide attacker, fitted with steel-built wings built by Nakajima; one built
Ohka Model 22
Suicide attacker, powered by an Ishikawajima Tsu-11 thermo-jet engine with reduced span wings and 600 kg (1,300 lb) warhead, to be carried by Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga bombers.
50 built by the First Naval Air Technical Arsenal
Ohka Model 33
Suicide attacker, powered by an Ishikawajima Ne-20 turbojet engine, with an 800 kg (1,800 lb) warhead, to be carried by the Nakajima G8N1 Renzan bomber
Ohka Model 43A Ko
Suicide attacker, powered by a Ne-20 turbojet engine, with folding wings, to be catapult launched from submarines
Ohka Model 43B Otsu
Suicide attacker similar to the Model 43A for catapult launching from caves
Ohka Model 53
Suicide attacker for aerotow launch, powered by a Ne-20 turbojet engine
Ohka K-1
Suicide attack training glider
Ohka Model 43 K-1 Kai Wakazakura
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
“Suzuka-24”
Alleged interceptor version with warhead replaced by a fuel tank and two 20 mm cannon mounted on top.
Supposedly employed at least twice against B-29 formations in April 1945.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
6.066 m (19 ft 11 in)
Wingspan
5.12 m (16 ft 10 in)
Height
1.16 m (3 ft 10 in)
Wing area
6 m2 (65 sq ft)
Empty weight
440 kg (970 lb)
Gross weight
2,140 kg (4,718 lb)
Powerplant
3 × Type 4 Mark 1 Model 20 solid-propellant rocket motors,
