Kamikaze (Yokasuka MXY7 Ohka Model II) © David Dixon cc-by-sa/2.0

SJ8397 : Kamikaze (Yokasuka MXY7 Ohka Model II)

taken 7 years ago, near to Rusholme, Manchester, Great Britain

Kamikaze (Yokasuka MXY7 Ohka Model II)

In Japanese history, the 'Kamikaze' was a 'divine wind' which helped to destroy an invader. During the Second World War, the same name was given to pilots who were prepared to sacrifice themselves in the defence of Japan.

In 1944, it was suggested that a rocket-powered piloted bomb could be used to destroy American and British warships. This would be air-launched from a bomber in the target area and fly at 400mph.

755 Ohkas were made by Yokosuka and the Kasumigaura Naval Air Arsenal; each was packed with explosive fused to detonate on impact. Many pilots volunteered, or were selected from the workers who built the Ohkas. The Ohka was first used successfully on 1 April 1945 to damage the battleship USS West Virginia.

This piloted bomb was captured (before take-off) and brought to Britain for rocket aeroplane research work. It is now on display at the Air and Space Hall of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester.

The Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is a large museum devoted to the development of science, technology and industry. It places particular emphasis on Manchester’s achievements and contributions in these fields.

The museum was originally called the North Western Museum of Science and Industry when it opened on Grosvenor Street in 1969 (SJ8497 : The North Western Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester). Having outgrown its former site, it was moved to its present location in Castlefield, where it opened on 15 September 1983. It later became known as The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) until its name was changed to the Science and Industry Museum in September 2018 to reflect it becoming part of the Science Museum Group.

The museum is housed in five listed buildings on the historic site of Liverpool Road Station which was vacated by British Rail in 1975. This station is the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station; one of the original termini of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first passenger railway.

The museum houses extensive displays on the themes of transport (railway locomotives and rolling stock, aircraft, and space vehicles), power (water, electricity, steam and gas engines), Manchester's sewerage and sanitation, textiles, communications and computing. There is currently no charge for entry to the museum.
Link Museum web site
Link Wikipedia

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Grid Square: SJ8397, 2384 images (more nearby )
Photographer: David Dixon (find more nearby)
Date Taken: Monday, 3 March, 2014 (more nearby)
Submitted: Thursday, 6 March, 2014
Geographical Context: Educational sites Air transport City, Town centre
Subject Location: OSGB36: SJ 8328 9778 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:28.5887N 2:15.2031W
Camera Location: OSGB36: SJ 8328 9778
View Direction: WEST (about 270 degrees)