Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa

The Yokosuka MXY8 Template:Nihongo was a training glider built in parallel with the Mitsubishi J8M/K-200 Shūsui rocket-powered interceptor aircraft.

Design and development

The J8M was to have simply been a licence-built Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, but, due to difficulties in obtaining technical materials from Germany, it eventually had to be designed almost from scratch.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> The MXY8 was designed in parallel with the J8M to validate the design and then to provide pilot training during the development of the actual interceptor.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> The Army designation for the type was Ku-13.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

The MXY8 was built entirely of wood and fitted with ballast tanks that would be filled with water to simulate the weight and, therefore, flight characteristics of a fully equipped J8M. Some 50-60 of these gliders were eventually built.

A more advanced trainer, the MXY9, equipped with a primitive jet engine was planned but was never produced.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

Many sources apply the designation MXY8 to the Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka kamikaze weapon.

Specifications

Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa unmotorized training glider version of the Mitsubishi J8M1 Shūsui

References

Bibliography

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