Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa
Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal · Empire of Japan · first flew 1944 · glider
The Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa was a Japanese training glider built in parallel with the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui rocket-powered interceptor.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.05 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered wooden training glider for the Shusui rocket interceptor
- Water ballast tanks to simulate a fully equipped J8M
- Single seat, no engine, 9.5 m span
A small all-wood glider with water ballast tanks and no engine, resembling the Shusui interceptor.
Specifications
- The Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa has a length of 6.05 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.5 m (31 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The J8M was to have been a licence-built Messerschmitt Me 163, but difficulties obtaining technical material meant it was designed almost from scratch. The MXY8 was designed alongside it to validate the design and train pilots. The Army designation was Ku-13.
Variants
The MXY9 was a more advanced trainer with a primitive jet engine, planned but never produced. Many sources wrongly apply the MXY8 designation to the Ohka.
Where you'll see it
Used for pilot training for the Shusui; some 50-60 were built.
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