By
Scott Schwartz
To many of us, the idea of constructing an
aircraft specifically designed for suicide missions is incomprehensible. From the Japanese point of view (at the
time), the idea was very practical.
Besides being difficult to shoot down (once launched), the Ohka’s
explosive was contained in the front of the aircraft, which maximized the
explosive effect. Young men, many of
whom could barely fly, could be taught to fly the Ohka (a training version with
a landing skid was produced) in less time that it would have taken to get them
proficient in a conventional airplane. Still, the Ohka was not easy to fly, and
there were accidents.
To be continued.
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