Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Page on January 21, 2002, 11:02:53 PM
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(http://blue_thunder_hq.tripod.com/j2m3_files/nakajima_kikka2.jpg)
HISTORY
Due to influence of its major ally, Germany, and encouraged by the great success of the Messerschmitt Me.262 in Europe in the desperate war effort of the final months of the war, Japan also decided to build a jet combat plane. This was the Nakajima Kikka (Orange Blossom) which was an entirely original project, although it greatly resembled its German counterpart.
Only two prototypes were built between June and August 1945, before the entire program was halted due to the end of the war, and only one of them succeeded in taking to the air, on two occasions.
The project was launched in September 1944 when the General Staff of the Imperial Navy decided to entrust Nakajima with the development of a single-seater two-engine jet plane based on the German Me.262. It was used as a fast bomber and attack plane. The aircraft’s characteristics were particularly ambitious: a maximum speed of 431 mph (695 km/h); a range of 125 miles (200 km) with a bomb load of 550 lb (250 kg); a landing speed of under 93 mph (150 km/h); and takeoff distance of 1,150 ft (350 m), with the use of two auxiliary external rockets each with a 993 lb (450 kg) thrust. In addition, the aircraft was to have folding wings (similar to those of carrier-based aircraft) so that they could be hidden in caves and tunnels. As for the engines, initially the use of two Tsu-11 type motor reactors with 440 lb (200 kg) thrust each was foreseen, then that of two 750 lb (340 kg) Ne-12 turbojets. In practice, considering these engines’ lack of power, the prototypes were driven by Ne-20 turbojets each with 1,048 lb (475 kg) thrust, built in great haste on the basis of the data and characteristics of the German BMW 003.
Nakajima’s group of technicians, headed by Kazuo Ohno and Kenichi Matsumara, went ahead with the work rapidly, developing an aircraft that was similar to the Messerschmitt Me.262 A as far as layout and form were concerned, although it was smaller overall. The first prototype was completed at the beginning of August 1945 and on Tuesday, August 7, it made its maiden flight at the Naval Aviation Base of Kisarazu, with Susumu Tanaoka at the controls. However, four days later, during an assisted takeoff, the aircraft had a serious accident, caused by an error in the installation of the two auxiliary rockets. The testing program was consequently suspended, while awaiting completion of the second prototype. At the same time, the assembly lines were occupied by 18 pre-series aircraft in various stages of construction.
The program established by the Imperial Navy was not limited to a single version of the Kikka. The Allies discovered that Nakajima had various other projects derived from it in a preparation phase. These included a two-seater version without armament meant for training, a similar reconnaissance variant; and a third, single-seater interceptor version. The last was to have been armed with four 30 mm cannons and fitted with Ne-130 or Ne-330 type engines with 1,986 lb (900 kg) and 1,953 lb (885 kg) thrust respectively, and was also at a design stage.
It should be remembered that the construction of the Kikka was not the only one Japan carried out in the field of rocket or jet planes. In 1944, Mitsubishi also began to design an interceptor derived from the German Messerschmitt Me. 163 B and was occupied, together with technicians from the navy and the army, in the construction of a rocket engine intended to power it. Seven prototypes of this aircraft, designated J8M Shusui (Swinging Sword), were built, only one of which succeeded in taking to the air (July 7, 1945), but with disastrous results. The program had been launched between 1943 and 1944, when Japan had acquired the rights to build the Me.163 B and its Walter HWK rocket engine on license. However, it had received a serious blow following the sinking of the submarine that was carrying a disassembled example of the aircraft and the construction drawing from Germany.
(http://blue_thunder_hq.tripod.com/j2m3_files/nakajima_kikka1.jpg)
STATS:
Aircraft: Nakajima Kikka
Nation: Japan
Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki KK
Type: Bomber
Year: 1945
Engine: 2 Ne-20 turbojets, with 1,048 lb (475 kg) thrust each
Wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10.00 m)
Length: 26 ft (8.12 m)
Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
Weight: 7,726 lb (3,500 kg)
Maximum speed: 442 mph (712 km/h) at 39,894 ft (10,000 m)
Ceiling: 39,473 ft (12,000 m)
Range: 590 miles (950 km)
Armament: 4 x 30 mm cannons
(http://blue_thunder_hq.tripod.com/j2m3_files/nakajima_kikka3.jpg)
FOOT NOTE:
Now this would be a real Japanes Bird if I do say so myself. But odds are we would never see it in ACES HIGH. Just wanted to see what you guys would think about a bird like this one in Aces High!:D
Reference: Complete Book of World II Combat Aircraft (1933-1945)
Illustrations by Pierluigi Pinto
Copy Right 1988
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The performance on this plane doesn't seem to be up to par with the me262. Perhaps this is due to the relatively small jet engines?
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Only two prototypes were built between June and August 1945, before the entire program was halted due to the end of the war, and only one of them succeeded in taking to the air, on two occasions.
That says it all right there, Can you imagine the screaming that would entail were it to be introduced? a great "What If?" plane, but not truly conceivable for AH IMHO.
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:p What if is right, that why i said we would never see it in Aces High....:p