Thursday 6 February 2014

News from the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset ..…

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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