Mitsubishi J8M1
Description
Role	Interceptor
Crew	one, pilot
Dimensions
Length	6.05 m	19 ft 10 in
Wingspan	9.50 m	31 ft 2 in
Height	2.70 m	8 ft 10 in
Wing area	17.7 m²	190 ft²
Weights
Empty	1,505 kg	3,311 lb
Loaded	3,885 kg	8,547 lb
Powerplant
Engine	1x Toko Ro.2 rocket
Thrust	14.7 kN	3,300 lbf
Performance
Maximum speed	900 km/h	560 mph
Endurance		5 min 30 seconds
Service ceiling	12,000 m	39,370 ft
Rate of Climb	2,858 m/min	9,374 ft/min
Armament
Guns	2x 30 mm Type 5 cannons Ki-200 - 2x 30 mm Ho-105 cannons

The Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (Japanese: 三菱 J8M 秋水, "Sharp Sword") was a development of the Me 163 Komet Mitsubishi J8M1 Copyright status unknown. ... The Mitsubishi companies, or the Mitsubishi Group of Companies or the Mitsubishi Group is a large group (keiretsu) of independently operated Japanese companies which share the Mitsubishi brand name. ... The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was the only operational rocket fighter aircraft. ...

Design

The J8M was intended to be a licence-built copy of the German Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. Difficulties in shipping an example to Japan meant that the aircraft eventually had to be reverse-engineered from a flight operations manual and other limited documentation. A single prototype was tested before the end of World War II. This article contains information that has not been verified. ... A Redstone rocket, part of the Mercury program A rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejection of fast moving exhaust gas from within a rocket engine. ... The MiG-25 is a Russian interceptor that was the mainstay of the Soviet air defence. ... World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrinations, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons like the atom bomb. ...

The J8M project resulted as a direct response to the imminent deployment of the B-29 Superfortress in 1943. The development of the US bomber was known to Japan, and it was correctly anticipated that it would be used to raid the Japanese home islands. In Germany, Japanese military attachés had become aware of the Me 163, and after a visit to the squadron evaluating the aircraft, (Erprobungskommando 16), negotiated the rights to licence-produce the aircraft and its engine. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress (Boeing Model 341/345) was a four-engine heavy bomber flown by the United States Army Air Force. ... 1943 is a common year starting on Friday. ...

An initial set of materials, including a complete dis-assembled aircraft, technical documentation, and a sample engine were loaded onto two submarines, one of which was sunk en route, meaning that only the engine and a small amount of paperwork eventually reached Japan. With the first B-29 raids already taking place, it was decided to proceed immediately rather than wait for the missing material to be replaced. The fighter was assigned the J8M1 designation by the Navy and Ki-200 by the Air Force, the only significant difference between the aircraft being the choice of different 30 mm cannons as armament. While Mitsubishi developed the airframe, Yokosuka developed an engine based on the Walter HWK 109-509 and training gliders, the Yokosuka MXY8 (army designation Ku-13). USS Los Angeles A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate underwater. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service was Imperial Japans land based aviation force. ... The First Naval Air Technical Arsenal (第一海軍航空技術廠), located in Yokosuka, Japan, was responsible for the design of several aircraft used by the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II. Actual manufacture of Yokosuka designs was handled by companies such as Aichi Kokuki. ... Trainer may refer to: An aircraft used for training pilots A padded sports shoe (trainer is used commonly in British English where sneaker would be used in American English). ... Gliders are un-powered heavier-than-air aircraft. ... The Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa (秋草, Autumn grass) was a training glider built in parallel with the Mitsubishi J8M rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. ...

On January 8, 1945 glide-tests of the J8M1 commenced, pending the arrival of an engine. These were judged a success, with the ballasted aircraft performing very much like an Me 163 while gliding. The first of the Toko Ro.2 powerplants was delivered in June, and after final glide tests with the engine installed, the first powered flight took place on July 7. The take-off was normal, with the aircraft climbing away strongly, but at around 400 metres (1,300 ft), it abruptly nosed over and dived straight into the ground, killing its pilot, Lt Cdr Toyohiko Inuzuka. Subsequent analysis found that the fuel tank design was unsuitable for the steep angle of climb. During Inuzuka's flight, an air-bubble had been created in a fuel line, leading the engine to stop abruptly and causing the crash. All testing was suspended while modifications were made. In the meantime, Mitsubishi began mass-production of components for the aircraft. Before flight testing could resume, however, Japan had surrendered, and the war was over. January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 7 is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 177 days remaining. ...

Some versions, designs and prototypes are projected during the final stages of the Pacific war, the next are these models:

J8M Variants

Operative Interceptor version

- Equivalent of Me 163 B-1a Rocket Interceptor:

Mitsubishi Ki-200 "Shusui" Rocket Interceptor: The Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (Japanese: 三菱 J8M 秋水, Sharp Sword) was intended to be a licence-built copy of the German Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. ...

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• All-Up Weight : 3,000 kg
• Empty Weight : 1,445 kg
• Main Engine : 1 x Mitsubishi KR10 (Tokuro-2) Rocket, 1,500 kgf (14.7 kN)
• Max Speed : 800 km/h
• Cruise Speed : 347 km/h
• Duration of Flight : 2.5 min (700 km/h)
• Crew : 1
• Armament : 30 mm Ho155-II Machine Gun X 2

Mitsubishi J8M1 "Shusui" Rocket Interceptor (Type 19 Experimental Interceptor "Shusui"): The deprecated unit kilogram-force (kgf) or kilopond (kp) is the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in standard Earth gravity (defined as exactly 9. ...

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• All-Up Weight : 3,000 kg
• Empty Weight : 1,445 kg
• Engine : 1 x Mitsubishi KR10 (Tokuro-2) Rocket, 1,500 kgf (14.7 kN)
• Max Speed : 800 km/h
• Cruise Speed : 347 km/h
• Duration of Flight : 2.5 min (700 km/h)
• Crew : 1
• Armament : 30 mm Type 5 Machine Gun X 2

Proposed Projects version

- Equivalent of M3 163C Rocket Interceptor development:

Mitsubishi J8M2 "Shusui" Model 21(?) Rocket Interceptor Long endurance modify project for Navy:

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Engine : 1 x Mitsubishi KR10 (Tokuro-2) Rocket, 1,500 kgf (14.7 kN)
• Crew : 1
• Armament : 30mm Type 5 Machine Gun X 1

Mitsubishi J8M3 "Shusui" Model 22 Rocket Interceptor (Suitable for Army Ki-202 "Shusui-kai") Long endurance modify project for Army & Navy: The Mitsubishi Ki-202/J8M3 Shusui-Kai (Japanese: 三菱 Ki-202/# 秋水改, Shusui-Kai translated as Sharp Sword, improved) was a development of the Mitsubishi J8M rocket-powered interceptor aircraft, based in turn on the German Messerschmitt Me 163. ...

• Length : 7.10 m
• Wing Span: 9.75 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 18.40 m²
• All-Up Weight : 5,100 kg
• Engine : 1 x Mitsubishi Tokuro-3 Rocket, 2,000 kgf (19.6 kN)
• Max Speed : 900Km/h
• Duration of Flight : 3.5 min
• Crew : 1
• Armament : 30 mm Type 5 Machine Gun X 1

Rikugun Kokukosho/Mitsubishi Ki-202 "Shusui-kai" Rocket Interceptor (Army equivalent to J8M3 "Shusui"): The Mitsubishi Ki-202 Shusui-Kai (Japanese: 三菱 Ki-202 秋水改, Shusui-Kai translated as Sharp Sword, improved) was a development of the Mitsubishi J8M rocket-powered interceptor aircraft, based in turn on the German Messerschmitt Me 163. ...

• Length : 7.10 m
• Wing Span: 9.75 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 18.40 m²
• All-Up Weight : 5,100 kg
• Engine : 1 x Mitsubishi Tokuro-3 Rocket, 2,000 kgf (19.6 kN)
• Max Speed : 900 km/h
• Duration of Flight : 3.5 min
• Crew : 1
• Armament : 30 mm Ho155-II Machine Gun X 2

Training Versions

- Equivalent to Me 163 A-0/S Trainer versions:

Yokoi Ki-13 "Akigusa" Rocket Interceptor Operative train glider (Experimental "Shusui" Light Glider) Ku-13 "Akigusa" was created as the Ki-200 "Syusui" Rocket Interceptor practice glider.

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Crew : 1

Kugisho Experimental Yokoi Ku-13 "Shusui" Heavy Glider This glider was created as the Ki-200 "Syusui" Rocket Interceptor practice glider. But this was high cost! This project was cancelled.

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Crew : 1

Kugisho Yokosuka MXY-8 "Akigusa" Rocket Interceptor practice glider (Experimental "Shusui" Light Glider) MXY-8 "Akigusa" was created as the J8M1 "Syusui" Rocket Interceptor practice glider. The Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa (秋草, Autumn grass) was a training glider built in parallel with the Mitsubishi J8M rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. ...

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Crew : 1

Kugisho Experimental Yokosuka MXY-9 "Shuka" Heavy Glider. This glider was created as the J8M1 "Syusui" Rocket Interceptor practice glider. But this was high cost! This project was cancelled. The Yokosuka MXY9 Shuka (秋火, Autumn fire) was a projected development of the MXY8 training glider, adding a small thermojet-style jet engine, the Tsu-11. ...

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Crew : 1

Kugisho Yokosuka MXY-9 "Shuka" Rocket Interceptor operative train glider MXY-9 "Shuka" is the thing of the plan of carrying the "Hatsukaze-11" fan jet engine on MXY-8 "Akigusa". "Hatsukaze-11" fan jet engine was the plan that it was carried on "Ohka" (Baka Bomb) "Type 22" as well. The Yokosuka MXY9 Shuka (秋火, Autumn fire) was a projected development of the MXY8 training glider, adding a small thermojet-style jet engine, the Tsu-11. ...

• Length : 6.05 m
• Wing Span: 9.50 m
• Height : 2.70 m
• Wing Area : 17.73 m²
• Engine : 1 x Kugisho Hatsukaze 11(Tsu-11) Fan Jet Engine, 180 kgf (1.77 kN)
• Crew : 1

Total Production

Operative Version:

By Mitsubishi: The Mitsubishi companies, or the Mitsubishi Group of Companies or the Mitsubishi Group is a large group (keiretsu) of independently operated Japanese companies which share the Mitsubishi brand name. ...

• J8M1/Ki-200 (7 Units)

Training Version:

By Yokosuka, Yokoi and Maeda: Categories: Cities in Kanagawa Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ... Maeda (前田 lit. ...

• Ku-13, Ki-13, MXY-8, MXY-9 (60 Units)

A total of seven airframes were completed. Two were taken to the United States for evaluation, and one of these is now exhibited in the Planes of Fame Museum. In the 1960s, a nearly complete (but badly damaged) fuselage was discovered in a cave in Japan. This was on display at a Japanese Air Force Base near Gifu until 1999 when it was restored and completed by Mitsubishi for display in the company's internal museum. Gifu is the name of several places: Gifu Prefecture, (Japan) Gifu City, (Japan) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

English-language sources invariably translate this aircraft's name as "sword stroke" or "swinging sword", which is not correct. The tradition of this translation apparently stems from work done by Robert C. Mikesh in the 1950s and repeated by many others over the decades. Even more literally, 秋水 means "autumn water", but is a widely-recognised poetic metaphor for a well-sharpened sword, possibly because the brightness of the sword blade and the wavy pattern in the metal recall that of a clear body of water.

External links

• http://www.ijnafpics.com/jbwj8m1.htm
• http://www.ijnafpics.com/jbwj8m2.htm