Kamikaze clean-up
A rare Japanese kamikaze aircraft, an Ohka 2, which
has been hanging from the rafters of the museum for 30 years, has been removed
in preparation for a new display to commemorate the war in the Pacific.
When used towards the end of WWII, they were fixed
to the underside of Mitsubishi G4M bombers, nicknamed ‘Betty bombers’ by the
Americans. They were flown to a height of 12,000 feet and released in a steep
dive during which three solid fuel rockets would be ignited enabling the
aircraft to reach speeds of up to 475mph and travel distances of 21 miles
before reaching its target.
The aircraft will eventually undergo a detailed
forensic process during which the paint applied after the war will be removed to
return it to its original paintwork and markings. This process has been
pioneered by the museum and used to return a WWII Corsair to its original
paintwork and markings, and is currently nearing completion on a WWII Grumman
Martlet.
To find out more about 2014 exhibitions and
activities at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, go to www.fleetairarm.com
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