Overview

The Japanese Ohka was a purpose-built, rocket powered, kamikaze aircraft. It made its debut in March of 1945, late in World War II. This aircraft was a manned flying bomb, carried to its target by a Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bomber. When the bomber approached its target the crew would drop the Ohka and the pilot would glide toward his intended target. The pilot would fire his three rocket motors during the terminal phase of the attack, accelerating the Ohka to its maximum speed of 500 mph, making it virtually impossible to stop. The impact explosion led to the name Ohka , which means cherry blossom, because a cherry blossom “pops” when it blooms. It is believed to have struck only seven US ships and sunk only three. Only 850 of these rockets were ever produced by the Japanese. This is a 1:1 scale replica made and donated by George Lucas, of Nunda, NY.