Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (櫻花, Ōka, "cherry blossom"; 桜花 in modern orthography) is 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" (baka being a Japanese pejorative term meaning "fool" or "idiot").
MXY-7 Ohka | |
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Ohka Model 11 replica at the Yasukuni Shrine Yūshūkan war museum. | |
Role | Kamikaze (piloted suicide) 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 |
Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service |
Produced | 1944–1945 |
Number built | 852 |