This is a casing of a rocket motor that powered the Japanese Ohka bomb of World War II. The Ohka was a small, anti-ship, manned suicide aircraft. Known to the Americans as the Baka (Foolish) bomb, it was fitted with three rockets. The motors used a solid fuel and produced a thrust of 7,500 N (1,700 lb.) for ten seconds. Ohkas were carried by a Betty bomber and launched from an altitude of about one mile and a distance of 10 km (6-7 mi.) from the target ship.
Ohkas glided towards the target and the rocket motors in the rear were usually fired close to the target to give the bomb more speed. It was first used in combat in the Pacific in 1945 and damaged the U.S. battleship West Virginia and other vessels. This casing was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1966 by the U.S. Air Force.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
ca. 1945
Country of Origin
Japan
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Manufacturer
Unknown
Dimensions
3-D (Overall): 133.7 × 27 × 24.1cm (4 ft. 4 5/8 in. × 10 5/8 in. × 9 1/2 in.)
Other (Nozzle, Diameter x Length): 5 3/4 in. × 2 ft. 9 in. (14.6 × 83.8cm)
Materials
Ferrous Alloy (Steel)
Paints
Inventory Number
A19660096000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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