JAPAN KAMIKAZE PLANE KI-115 TSURUGI

In early 1945, when the Japanese military situation was bad, the command of the Japanese army asked Nakajima to design a special aircraft capable of carrying a single bomb weighing approximately 800 kg. However, the main emphasis was placed on the design of the aircraft in a simple manner and with cheap and generally available materials. Constructor Aori Kunihiro designed such a plane and after less than two months, Tsurugi was ready for the first flight. The tests showed several disadvantages (including: poor visibility from the pilot's cabin and problems with the landing gear). The latter disadvantage was not very significant, because in fact "Ki-115" was intended for kamikaze pilots. After fixing faults and introducing a few corrections, Tsurugi was put into mass production. The serial planes were powered by a Nakajima Ha-115 radial engine and equipped with two additional rocket engines under the wings. The rocket engines were to be used as a launch aid, although other sources also say that the speed was increased in the final phase of the attack. The serial planes were designated "Nakajima Ki-115a Tsurugi". Despite the fast pace of work and the commencement of rapid production, the Japanese did not manage to use any of the "Tsurugi" in combat. In total, just over 100 machines of this type were created, and until the last moment, an improved version, designated Ki-115b, as well as a variant for the Navy Aviation was being worked on. The "Tsurugi" was a mixed design single-engine single-seat crawler low-wing aircraft. The plane did not have any small arms, only a bomb weighing 800 kg attached to the fuselage. After Japan's surrender, one Ki-115a was captured by US troops and transported to the US. Technical data: length: 8.55 m, wingspan: 8.6 m, height: 3.3 m, maximum speed: 550 km / h, maximum range: 1200 km, armament: fixed-Ki-115 had no fixed armament, suspended-up to 800 kg explosive charge.