'MXY-7-11 Ohka Pack' by Rudi Jaeger. Originally uploaded to Axis & Allies Paintworks, 25-SEP-2010. Expanded pack uploaded 31-MAR-2012.

For terms of use, please see 'COPYRIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION' at the bottom of this document; Thank You.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Template Began: 24 January 2009 / Completed: 28 March 2009.

Template, markings, the whole nine yards, are all original. I combined features found in historical photos, museum restorations, and drawings, designed to best compliment the 3D-model. I chose this approach since several variations in construction were discovered during research, either as a result of manufacture or restoration efforts. Also, the sim's 3D-model seems to have a rather low poly-count for its size (1024x1024); so as much as I enjoy incorporating 'vis-mods' to trick the eye, I had to reluctantly restrain myself on this one. Therefore, some of the scoops, lifting points, and bumps you might see in photos, are not featured in these skins, since they were never designed into the 3D-model.

Although there is a modded version of the Ohka, these skins are designed specifically for the default model and will not display correctly on the current modded version due to alterations to it's fuselage and other minor details. IMO, the default version is more asthetically pleasing and dimensionally correct, without any faults in the 3D.. i.e; canopy glazing, fuselage, and tail plane mapping. Of course, depending on which mod you are using if any, you may not have a choice regarding which model you can use.. unfortunately, the default model may simply not be available. If the panel lines don't line up along the fuselage when using these skins, you'll know you have the modded Ohka.

This pack includes eight unique skins:

1. MXY7_11_Wood_nmf13_RJaeger.bmp; 
A 'novelty skin' that depicts how the Ohka might have appeareared at the factory, prior to receiving any fabric-laminate, dope, and paint, over it's plywood surfaces. Those familiar with the classic Chrysler Town & Country, or any 'Woody' automobile for that matter, should enjoy this one.

2. MXY7_11_PaintedWood_nmf13_RJaeger.bmp;
Another 'novelty skin', this one features factory paint on the wood surfaces only. It illustrates the fine line between gray paint and metal effects when viewed in the sim's environment.

3. MXY-7-11_Torpedo_RJaeger.bmp;
More 'novelty' here, as this one bears a 'flying torpedo' theme.

4. MXY7_11_FullyPainted_no13_RJaeger.bmp;
Probably the closest to 'historical' of the bunch, as it is based on an actual photograpgh. All surfaces are painted.

5. MXY7_11_FullyPainted_GenericMarks_RJaeger.bmp;
Again, fully painted and marked, but without any distinctive nunerals.

6. MXY-7-11_Green_GenericMarkings_RJaeger.bmp;
Non-historical 'green' scheme for those who enjoy the 1946+ 'what-if' scenarios.

7. MXY-7-11_Trainer_GenericMarkings_RJaeger.bmp;
A semi-historical scheme in 'trainer orange' to round out the package.

8. MXY-7-11_KG200_Leonidas_GenericMk_RJaeger.bmp;
The Ohka was never employed by the Luftwaffe, but they actually had a similar unit to the Kamikaze, known as the 'Leonidas Squadron'. So this skin is for the ETO enthusiast, although there may currently be some difficulty in locating a Luftwaffe skin for the 'launch vehicle'. I would have included a 'Luft-Betty', but I have yet to build a template for the G4M (I only use homegrown templates).


Also includes folders of historical photos, in-sim screenshots, and a brief history in this 'readme'.

All skins feature:

- Completely revised features from skins included in stock sim.

- Reflection and shadow effects throughout.

- 'Handmade' markings throughout.

- Precision-alignment of all features. Note: fuselage 3D-model has an error of approximately one-half pixel, that cannot be corrected by 'skinning it out', since skinning only allows corrections to one full pixel. Therefore, I had to use a little 'magic' to make it work.

Skins were created using 'Paintshop Pro 7'. The Okinawa map was the backdrop for lighting conditions, since this was historically nearest the theatre of operations. All in-sim screenshots are un-edited, other than superimposing any fancy script, labels, or my signature. I did not use any 'shine mods', so what you see is what you get.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Installation:

Install only the 1,026KB Bitmap Images (skin files) to the MXY-7-11 folder in your 'IL2 Sturmovik 1946' directory:

IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 > PaintSchemes > Skins > MXY-7-11

Note; these skins will also function with any version of the sim from 'Pacific Fighters' onward.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 'History Section'......


Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka (Cherry Blossom)

Allied Code Name: "Baka" (Fool)

As the Japanese military became increasingly desperate to find ways of slowing the Allied advance, naval officer Ensign Mitsuo Ohta conceived a specialized suicide attack aircraft. This plane was to be inexpensive, easy to manufacture in large numbers, and equipped for high speed to avoid being shot down. Once the concept had been accepted, Yokosuka began developing the MXY7 Ohka (cherry blossom). The Ohka was a small, rocket-powered vehicle mounting a large warhead in the nose and intended to be carried to the target area by a Mitsubishi G4M2e bomber. After being released, the Ohka would engage its rocket motors to make a high-speed dash to the target ship. 

Flight testing began in late 1944, but production of the Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka Model 11 began even before these tests were complete. By March 1945, 755 of the Model 11 had been built, but initial deployments proved rather unsuccessful. Although difficult to shoot down because of its high speed, the Ohka was a sitting duck when still attached to the large, slow mother plane. In addition, the design proved very difficult to maneuver making it nearly impossible to hit even a slow moving target. 

In an attempt to improve the odds, a new version, the Model 22, began production. This model featured reduced wingspan and a smaller warhead allowing the Ohka to be carried by the much faster Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga medium bomber. The Model 22 was also fitted with a Campini-type jet engine instead of rockets increasing the Ohka's range as well as reducing speed to allow better maneuverability. However, the jet engine was found to be vastly underpowered resulting in later versions powered by a turbojet, but none of these reached production before the end of the war. 

Japan also studied other methods for launching the Ohka, including a land based version and one carried by submarines. Although some 850 Ohkas were built, including trainer versions equipped with landing skids, only 50 ever saw combat. These sank just three enemy ships. 

HISTORY:  
First Flight: October 1944 (unpowered flight) / November 1944 (powered flight).  
Service Entry: 21 March 1945 
 
DIMENSIONS:  

Length: 
(Model 11) 19.90 ft (6.07 m)
(Model 22) 22.56 ft (6.88 m)
(Model 43B) 26.77 ft (8.17 m)  

Wingspan: 
(Model 11) 16.40 ft (5.00 m)
(Model 22) 13.52 ft (4.12 m)
(Model 43B) 29.53 ft (9.01 m)  

Height:  
(Model 11) 3.94 ft (1.20 m)
(Model 22) 3.94 ft (1.20 m)
(Model 43B) 3.77 ft (1.15 m)  

Wing Area:  
(Model 11) 64.59 ft2 (6.00 m2)
(Model 22) 43.06 ft2 (4.01 m2)
(Model 43B) 139.93 ft2 (13.02 m2)

WEIGHTS:  
Empty  (Model 11) 970 lb (440 kg)
(Model 22) 1,200 lb (545 kg)
(Model 43B) 2,535 lb (1,150 kg)  
Typical Load  unknown  
Max Takeoff  (Model 11) 4,720 lb (2,140 kg)
(Model 22) 3,200 lb (1,450 kg)
(Model 43B) 5,005 lb (2,270 kg)  
 
Max Payload: 
(Model 11) 2,645 lb (1,200 kg)
(Model 22) 1,325 lb (600 kg)
(Model 43B) 1,745 lb (790 kg) 

 
PROPULSION:  

Powerplant:  (Model 11) three Type 4 Mk 1 solid-propellant rocket motors
(Model 22) one TSU-11 Campini-type jet
(Model 43B) one Ne-20 turbojet  

Thrust:  (Model 11) 1,765 lb (7.85 kN)
(Model 22) 550 lb (2.45 kN)
(Model 43B) 1,045 lb (4.65 kN) 

 
PERFORMANCE:  

Max Level Speed at sea level:
(Model 11) 535 mph (860 km/h)
(Model 22) 300 mph (480 km/h)
(Model 43B) 345 mph (555 km/h)

Dive speed: 620 mph (1,000 km/h)   

Range:  
(Model 11) 50 nm (90 km)
(Model 22) 70 nm (130 km)
(Model 43B) 150 nm (275 km)  

 
ARMAMENT:  
(Model 11) one 1,200-kg warhead
(Model 22) one 600-kg warhead
(Model 43B) one 790-kg warhead  
 
KNOWN VARIANTS:  

Model 11  First production model powered by a three-chamber rocket motor and carried to within target range by a G4M2e bomber; 755 built.  

K-1  Unpowered trainer version based on the Model 11 but with the warhead removed and replaced by water ballast that was ejected to reduce landing speeds; 45 built.  

Model 22  Smaller, lighter version with a reduced wingspan and a smaller warhead so the aircraft could be carried by the smaller but faster P1Y bomber, the rocket motor was replaced by a Campini-type jet engine but this was found to be underpowered; 50 built.  

Model 33  Model to be powered by one Ne-20 turbojet and carried aloft by a Nakajima G8N Renzan bomber; cancelled.  

Model 43 K-1 Kai  Two-seat trainer powered by a single Type 4 Mk I Model 20 rocket motor and fitted with flaps and landing skis; 2 built.  

Model 43A  Enlarged model to be powered by one Ne-20 turbojet and fitted with folding wings so as to be carried aboard and launched from submarines; not built.  

Model 43B  Model 43A variant to be launched by catapult from land and fitted with wing tips that could be jettisoned to increase speed; not built.  

Model 53  Turbojet-powered variant to be towed into the air by any aircraft fitted with a towline; not built. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Kamikaze;  (from Kami - "god" and kaze - "wind") means 'divine wind' in Japanese. It refers to the typhoon which saved Japan from a Mongol invasion fleet in 1281.

The first Kamikaze strike came on October 25, 1944, off the Philippine island of Leyte. Twenty-six Mitsubishi Zeros were split into four groups to attack shipping, and five of these were able to hit the US aircraft carrier St. Louis with their load of 250kg of explosives, and sink her. Others hit and damaged several other carriers, and a submarine attack added to the confusion. 

This success was followed by an immediate expansion of the program, and over the next few months over 2,000 planes made such attacks. This included new types of attacks, including purpose-built Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka rocket-bombs, small boats packed with explosives, and manned torpedoes. 

The "high-point" of the Kamikaze came during the Battle of Okinawa, when waves of planes made hundreds of attacks. The effort included a one-way mission by the battleship Yamato, which failed to get anywhere near the fight after being set upon by US fighters several hundred miles away. Starting with destroyers on "picket duty" and then moving on to the carriers in the middle of the fleet, the kamikaze aircraft attacks created enough havoc to threaten the Allied mission. By the end of the battle just under 30 ships had been sunk, and over 160 more damaged, expending 1,465 planes in the process. 

As stocks of older planes started to dry up, a new kamikaze-only plane, the Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi, was designed to provide a simple, easy-to-build plane that could use up existing stocks of engines in a wooden airframe. The undercarriage was non-retractable, to be jettisoned shortly after take-off for a suicide mission, to be reused. 

Prior to the proposed invasion of mainland Japan ('Operation 'Olympic  on November 1, 1945) the Japanese military hastened its preparations to attack the Allied invasion force while still at sea, coming up with some very desperate ideas for suicide attacks of differing kinds:

Thousands of volunteer pilots were hastily trained for airplane suicide attacks. Over 500 aircraft of all types were available for these kamikaze missions. 

Around 400 Koryu and Kairyu suicide submarines (five and two-man versions of the Kaiten) would set out on their one-way journey. 

Also prepared to sacrifice their lives were 300 volunteers for the Shinyo human torpedoes. 

Most bizarre of all were the hundreds of strong swimmers who would swim out with deadly mines strapped to their backs to explode against the hulls of the Allied ships. 


Just when all was set for the greatest military mass suicide in history, the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. On August 14, 1945, the Japanese ordered all kamikaze operations to cease. The originator of the first kamikaze attack, Vice Admiral Takijiro Ohnishi, committed suicide by disemboweling himself. By the end of the Pacific war on September 2, 1945, a grand total of 1,228 Japanese suicide pilots had given their lives for their Emperor. Their score was 34 US ships sunk and 288 damaged. These included three escort carriers and fourteen destroyers. No battleships or cruisers were sunk.


According to a Japanese tally, suicide attacks accounted for up to 80 percent of American losses in the final phase of the war in the Pacific. The military effect of kamikaze tactics was significant but not overwhelming. Even so, the psychological effect on Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen was profound. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 'Please don't rip me off' section....



**********   COPYRIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION ********** 
 
Copyright (C) Rudi Jaeger. All rights reserved. 
 
**** Files CANNOT BE MODIFIED, RECOMPILED or REDISTRIBUTED ****  
 
All aircraft skins and screen-captures featuring said skins are copyrighted by Rudi Jaeger. Although this file/compilation is released as FREEWARE, under NO circumstances are any of the contents to be edited or modified in ANY manner without the express permission of the author. Anyone found doing so without permission from the author, may be held accountable under applicable laws.  
 
This file is not to be uploaded to any other site, unless by Rudi Jaeger.

Files may be used by mission builders to include in freeware missions or campaigns as they choose. However, if any of these are uploaded for use by the general community, all I ask is that my files not be edited or modified; if in violation, the concerned file and contributor will be reported to the hosting site.

Commercial misuse: All copyrighted material, source files and other files developed by Rudi Jaeger are forbidden to be sold or misused either in whole or part thereof in any manner that would term the nature of the misuse as commercial either involving money or kind. In simple terms, you CANNOT repackage either in whole or in part thereof, any of the above mentioned files for sale. Anyone found doing so will be held accountable under the applicable laws. I intend to keep my efforts freeware, so I ask you to please respect my copyrights, as I have invested much time and energy into my creations.

Terms and Conditions: The Terms and Conditions specified under Copyright can be modified by Rudi Jaeger at any time without any prior notification and it remains the sole prerogative of Rudi Jaeger to decide the nature of the change. Any and all changes will be posted officially by Rudi Jaeger on the relevant website/forums.
**********************************************************************************

Note; this author does not condone or glorify the act of suicide, nor profess any religous or political views toward society or the 'IL2 Community'.. so please, it's just a bunch of airplanes I painted. Although this author DOES promote education relating to historical events and rememberance of warriors from all nationalities, and skinning is my way of doing so.

Thank You, and I hope you will enjoy my work :)

~ Rudi Jaeger
