Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

I gather the Japanese developed a piloted V-1 bomb. Please can anybody tell me where or how it was intended to be used ?

Was it ever intended for launch from the I-400 Sen Toku submarines ?

I am also aware that of the 19 u-boats/Italian subs which reached Japanese territory, two in late 1944 carried a dozen V-2 rockets in parts. The u-boats in question were the U-219 and U-195 which arrived at Djakarta.

Re: Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

The a/c you're probably thinking about is the kawanishi 'Baika'.
Very similar in concept & looks to the German manned V-1, but it never got past the drawing board. I've never heard of plans to use it off of the I-400 type subs, but there were apparently plans to air launch it (from P1Y Frances bombers IIRC)

Re: Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

I believe you are thinking about the MXY-7 Ohka, piloted rocket bomb. It was deployed in March 1945 and carried aloft by a bomber. When it was brought near its target, it was released and glided. On final approach, the pilot ignited its rocket engine, which burned for 10 seconds. The entire front of the rocket was a bomb and its purpose was to crash into enemy ships. Some examples were captured, including two man types.

The I-400 type submarine was not designed to carry them as far as I know.


Ed

Re: Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

No Ed, I know what the Ohka is. JohnMacG6 is aware what I was referring to. It looked identical to the buzz bomb except with a cockpit, very similar infact to the Reichberg IV "buzz bomb," piloted by Hanna Reitsch.
Indeed as far as I know the Germans trained Japanese engineers, who made faithful copies.

I am more interested whether there were any plans by the Japanese to deploy this aircraft and how exactly ?

My question about the I-400 was mostly a speculative question because so much effort seemed placed in this design yet it was never used. Did the Kawanishi Baika (aka plum cherry) ever fly in Japan ?

Thanks both of you
Simon

Re: Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

Nah, it was never built
As I understand it, it was meant to take off from simple airstrips around the coast, taking off with with a simple droppable u/c similar to that on the Ki117. There was, apparently an air-launchable version planned too, withe pulse-jet under the fuselage instead of on top as on the V-1, but as I said, no example of either version was ever built.

Re: Japanese V-1 buzz bomb
 

The suicide plane Kugisho Ohka model 43 Ko was intended to be launched from a submarine (Type Sen-Toku (I-400)) in sectors not controlled by US fighters. It was to have wood folding wings, and a rocket engine Ne-20.
No prototype has been built, only a wooden model.

Best

Christian