Japanese training glider From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa (秋草, "Autumn grass") was a training glider built in parallel with the Mitsubishi J8M rocket-powered interceptor aircraft.
| MXY8 Akigusa | |
|---|---|
| |
| General information | |
| Type | Training Glider |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal |
| History | |
| Variants | Yokosuka MXY9 |
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.[1] 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.[2] The Army designation for the type was Ku-13.[3]
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.[4]
Many sources apply the designation MXY8 to the Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka kamikaze weapon.
Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
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