Scale Aviation Modeller International — February 2018

(Jacob Rumans) #1
lumbering, and overloaded
Mitsubishi G4M2e Model 24j
Tei Isshiki “Betty” bomber. The
combination proved to be extremely
vulnerable to the USN’s (by 1945)
well established and effective in-
depth protective combat air patrol.
As early as February 1945,
with the telling limitations of
the original design perceived
even before the early Ohka’s first
mission, the Japanese set out to
increase the launch range of the
follow-on proposal. This was to
be achieved by air-dropping it
from a more nimble and evasive
aerial platform, using a novel
jet-engine power plant and a
lighter, more versatile bomber.
The aircraft intended for
launching the new Ohka Model
22 was to have been a modified

Kugisho (Yokosuka) P1Y3 Model
33 Ginga “Francis” mothership
bomber. The use of this fast and
agile launch aircraft was made
possible by the modifications made
to the revised Ohka bomb, which
was longer and had a reduced
wingspan, compared to the early
Model 11 version. The third Ginga
prototype was also used as a flying
testbed for the revolutionary
Tsu-11 jet engine, which was
to power the Ohka Model 22.
With a stated maximum bomb
load (torpedo) of 1,764 kg for the
conventional Ginga (1,599 kg for
the P1Y3), one has to speculate
that to carry the fully loaded, 2,510
kg Ohka, the Ginga would have
needed to have been significantly
stripped down, possibly to the
extent of having all its armour

and armament removed.
The evolved version followed
the general properties of the
innovative Ohka (Cherry Blossom)
Model 11. This one-seat “Tokko”
suicide attack aircraft was a
cantilevered low wing monoplane
of mixed construction. The three
principal fuselage components –
the streamlined warhead fairing,
the enclosed cockpit and wing
root, and the engine shroud
aft – were of metal framing
and skin, while the main wings

and twin tail were wood.
In total, it appears that only 35
completed Ohka Model 22 airframes
were produced by Dai-Ichi Kaigun
Koku Gijyutsusho (First Naval
Air Technical Arsenal - Kugisho),
based at Yokosuka, with 15 other
unfinished units at various stages
of assembly. None were deployed to
an active “Jinrai Butai” unit, such
as the specialist elite 721st Kokutai
(Naval Air Group). This limited
production run is in comparison
with the original Ohka Model

Brengun’s double sided instruction sheet is a relatively simple
monochrome presentation, but everything needed for a clean
build is well conveyed

Brengun clearly illustrate the basic overall
painting and minimalist decal application
through their excellent artwork on the reverse
of their robust end opening box

Reference to authoritative artwork featured in Mushroom Model
Publications essential ‘Japanese Special Attack Aircraft and
Flying Bombs’ confirmed how well Brengun have done

Mushroom Model Publications reference work even fully covers
the necessary ground handling trolley, which Brengun have also
well replicated

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