Mizuno Shinryu
Encyclopedia
The Mizuno Shinryu was a late-World War II Japanese rocket-powered suicide interceptor concept. The project never proceeded beyond the initial phase of development.
-winged design, with swept wings and tail fin. Two rocket engines were to be mounted in the rear, and the nose was to be fitted with an explosive warhead. Some versions of the design appear to have been intended to carry unguided rockets under the wings for interception of enemy bombers, similar to the intended role of the German Bachem Ba 349
.
It is unclear today whether the engines were intended to provide power for take-off (like the Bachem Ba 349), or to accelerate the aircraft towards its target (like the Ohka
). Similar to the Ohka, it could have been launched from coastal air bases and caves, and modified Mitsubishi G4M
"Betty" or Yokosuka P1Y
bombers. Its intended role, whether anti-ship, anti-aircraft, or anti-tank is still unclear.
Configuration
In configuration, it was to be a canardCanard (aeronautics)
In aeronautics, canard is an airframe configuration of fixed-wing aircraft in which the forward surface is smaller than the rearward, the former being known as the "canard", while the latter is the main wing...
-winged design, with swept wings and tail fin. Two rocket engines were to be mounted in the rear, and the nose was to be fitted with an explosive warhead. Some versions of the design appear to have been intended to carry unguided rockets under the wings for interception of enemy bombers, similar to the intended role of the German Bachem Ba 349
Bachem Ba 349
The Bachem Ba 349 Natter was a World War II German point-defence rocket powered interceptor, which was to be used in a very similar way to a manned surface-to-air missile. After vertical take-off, which eliminated the need for airfields, the majority of the flight to the Allied bombers was to be...
.
It is unclear today whether the engines were intended to provide power for take-off (like the Bachem Ba 349), or to accelerate the aircraft towards its target (like the Ohka
Ohka
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka was a purpose-built, rocket powered human-guided anti-shipping kamikaze attack plane employed by Japan towards the end of World War II...
). Similar to the Ohka, it could have been launched from coastal air bases and caves, and modified Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M
The Mitsubishi G4M 一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Isshiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikkō was the main twin-engine, land-based bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allies gave the G4M the reporting name Betty...
"Betty" or Yokosuka P1Y
Yokosuka P1Y
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam 7 Company Ltd., 1970. ISBN 0-370-00033-1 ....
bombers. Its intended role, whether anti-ship, anti-aircraft, or anti-tank is still unclear.
Variants
- Mizuno "Shinryū" Type 1 suicide rocket glider
- Mizuno "Shinryū" Type 2 rocket interceptor