G4M2E Betty _ MXY7 Ohka 1

1/72 G4M2E Betty and MXY7 Ohka

Aeroscale Model of The Month February 2008

In the twilight of World War 2, the Japanese were trying to find new ways to stem the tide of American power.

One idea was the MXY7 Ohka, a rocket powered aircraft with a nose filled with explosive. The Ohka ("Cherry Blossom") would be carried within range by a G4M2E Betty mothership with its bomb bay converted to carry the Ohka. The Ohka would drop from the belly of the Betty, ignite its rocket engine, and the pilot would steer it on a suicide course into a ship.

Despite a few successes against smaller ships, the hoped-for sinking of major aircraft carriers never happened and this tragic weapon of war never lived up to its potential.

About the model:
The kit is from Hasegawa with photo etch converted from Eduard. I wanted to depict two planes in action so used a metal rod to hold then both up. A smaller rod was soldered at a 90 degree angle to the big one to hold the Ohka. The flame of the rocket was made with cotton and white glue. Figures are resin items from a French company whose name escapes me.