"av8r" wrote in message
...


The IJN and the Japanese Army were deadly rivals in the power
struggles that characterised Japanese politcs of the 20's, 30's and
40's its unlikley they would ever co-operate on anything.

Hi Keith

The J.N.A.F. and J.A.A.F. did in fact co-operate out of necessity. The
Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui (Rigorous Sword) short-range interceptor was a
prime example. The rocket propelled aircraft was based broadly on the
Messerschmitt Me-163B Komet design, as the Japanese only had one simple
instruction manual to use as a guide.

The J.A.A.F. recieved a samll number of MXY7 Akigusa (Autumn Grass)
gliders that had been built by the Maeda Koku Kenkyusho company to be
used as trainers for the J8M1.

The J.A.A.F. designation for their development of the J8M1 was Ki.200.
After the Army Aero-Technical Research Institue (Rikugan Kokugijutsu
Kenkyujo)got involved, it was developed as the Ki.202.

There were five prototypes of the J8M1 built, but only the first one
built flew. It made its maiden flight at Yokosuka Naval Aeronautical
Engineering Arsenal on the 7th of July 1945. It crashed after reaching
an altitude of 1,300 feet in a steep climb. It was determined that the
accident was a result of the rocket motor failing. The hydrogen
peroxide shifted to the rear of the partially empty tank which in turn
cut off the fuel supply, and owing to air entering a fuel pipe and
causing a blockage.

Although the J.A.A.F. chose the aircraft as the priority interceptor
project, no prototype was completed by the time Japan surrendered.

Cheers...Chris


Right but that was at the end of the war when all else had failed
for most of the time they were deadly rivals. Yamamoto had to
be sent back to sea in 1941 to avoid assassination by the army !

Keith