Mizuno Shinryu

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The Mizuno Shinryu (神龍 - "Divine Dragon") was a proposed rocket-powered kamikaze aircraft designed for the Imperial Japanese Navy towards the end of World War II. It never reached production.

In configuration, it was to be a canard-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 antiship, antiaircraft, or antitank is still unclear.

Versions

Mizuno "Shinryu" Type 1 suicide rocket glider
Mizuno "Sinryu" Type 2 rocket interceptor

Specifications (Shinryu, as designed)

General characteristics

Crew: 1 pilot
Length: m ( ft in)
Wingspan: m ( ft in)
Height: m ( ft in)
Wing area: m² ( ft²)
Empty: kg ( lb)
Loaded: kg ( lb)
Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
Powerplant: 2× Tokuro-1 solid-fuel rockets, 1.5 kN (330 lbf) thrust each

Performance

Maximum speed: km/h (mph)
Range: km ( miles)
Service ceiling: m ( ft)
Rate of climb: m/min (ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
Thrust-to-weight:

Armament