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Aviation1903
@aviation1903

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Inspired by the German Me 262, the Imperial Japanese Navy sought their own jet powered superweapon, known as the Kikka. Initially planned to be powered by a domestically built TSU-11 motor jet, a rudimentary configuration that was essentially a ducted fan with an afterburner, the design phase went through numerous Japanese engines, none of which proved sufficient for use. Eventually it was a BMW 003 engine that was to be used. Development of the Japanese version of this engine was difficult, as the engineers had to reverse engineer it from nothing but a handful of exterior photos and a single cutaway drawing. Eventually, my 1945, the engine was complete and designated, Ne-20.  Despite its inspiration from the Me 262, the Kikka was noticeably smaller, and lacked the distinct triangular cross section and slightly swept wings. The Kikka tool its maiden flight on August 7th, 1945, the day following the detonation of the Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima. The test flight lasted 20 minutes, and proved to be a well flying machine. The biggest concern brought up by the test pilot was its abnormally long takeoff roll, a common theme amongst early jets. The second test flight was scheduled four days later, and had a RATO system equipped. Despite the pilots concerns about the configuration, the test flight commenced, and immensely after ignition, the Kikka lost tail control. The pilot attempted to abortion the takeoff after the 9 second burn tome of the RAYO system, resulting in a crash landing as the prototype overran the runway. Before the prototype could be repaired, Japan surrendered, ending the program, and the war.  The first picture is of a captured Kikka undergoing tests at Patuxent River, Maryland. The second depicts the Kikka on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. #aviationhistory #aviation #av8ers #aviationgeek #wwiiaviation #coldwar #aviationlovers #planes #planesoffame #USAF #USAAF #avgeek #flight #airplane #aircraft #instaaviation #warbirds #warbird #aviation1903 #fighterpilot #militarypilot #airforcepilot #militaryaircraft