J8M1
Type: Single seat interceptor fighter
Origin: Mitsubishi
Allied Code Name: N/A
First Flight: July 7, 1945
Number Produced: See comments
Powerplant:
Model: Yokosuka Toku Ro. 2
Type: Bi-Fuel liquid rocket motor.
Number: One       Thrust: 3,300 lb.
Dimensions:
Wing span: 31 ft. 2 in.
Length: 19 ft. 2.33 in.
Height: 8 ft. 10.25 in.
Wing Surface Area: 190.843 Sq. Ft.
   Weights:
Empty: 3,186 lbs.
Loaded: 8,598 lbs.

Performance:
Maximum Speed at 32,810 ft.: 497 mph
Powered Endurance: 5 min. 30 sec.
Time to 19,685 ft.: 2 min. 10 sec.
Time to 32,810 ft.: 3 min. 30 sec.
Time to 39,370 ft.: 3 min. 50 sec.
Armament: Proposed
Two 30mm Type 5 cannon.
   Ammunition: 60 rpg
Comments:
    The development of the Me 163 Komet rocket interceptor was viewed by both the Japanese air forces with intense interest. The Komets success led to the Japanese purchasing the manufacturing rights for both the powerplant and the airframe (Me 163B) for the price of 20 million Reichsmarks in 1944.
    Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. was assigned the task of manufacturing this aircraft but this project was nearly stillborn. A German submarine carrying an example of the Me 163B as well as a set of blueprints was sunk en route to Japan, leaving Mitsubishi with only a simple instruction manual from which to develop a production aircraft. Mitsubishi rose to the challenge and in July 1944 set about designing an aircraft broadly based on the Komet.
    To help train pilots for this new type of aircraft a wooden trainer was constructed. Designated the MXY7 Akigusa (Autumn Grass) and built by the Maeda Koku Kenkyusho, this glider was of general size and external configuration as the Shusui A total of 56 of these traing gliders were built with two of them going to Mitsubishi to assist in the development of the J8M1.
    While these airframes were being developed, Mitsubishi in conjunction with the Yokosuka Naval Aeronautical Engineering Arsenal worked on adapting the HWK 109-509 rocket motor for Japanese production. Designated the Toku Ro. 2 (Kr-10), the first example was delivered to Mitsubishi early in June 1945 and mated to a production J8M1 Shusui airframe. This was flown for the first time on July 7, 1945 and the aircraft managed to attain an altitude of 1,300 feet before the motor cut out, causing the aircraft to crash. The cause of this crash was discovered to be a poorly designed fuel system. The system was redesigned but the war ended before any further flights were made.
    The Japanese Army Air Force designated the Shusui as the Ki.200 but no examples were produced for the J.A.A.F.
Additional Images:
Image 1 - MXY7 Akigusa Glider
Image 2 - Two MXY7 Akigusa Glider
   Image 3 - J8M1 Prototype
Image 4 - J8M1 3-View
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Sources:
Green, William - War Planes Of The Second World War - Fighters - Vol. 3, 1964, Doubleday And Company, Inc., New York
The Complete Encyclodepia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5
Updated 06-01-01