Japanese Forces

Desperate measure - Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi.

Imperial Government of Japan

Dirt-cheap purpose-designed kamikaze aircraft, made mainly of wood and steel by unskilled workers and normally powered by obsolete engines, this thing was clumsy to fly and bereft of defensive armament. Nonetheless, it could make about 342 m.p.h., and carried a not inconsiderable 1,760-pound bomb. Also, the "weapon" had a very useful range (particularly for a one-way trip) of about 750 miles. The undercarriage was supposed to be jettisoned following take-off. These aircraft were so crude, their handling so clumsy, that they would, individually, have been easy meat for US fighter pilots. Since the Japanese planners must have known this, the probable intention was to launch them at Allied ships in large waves - a bit like salvoes of artillery. Some 8,000 of these flying coffins were ordered; however, the first production examples came too late to see combat. Best regards, JR.