J8M1, "Shushi" (Swinging Sword), c/n 403

Japan paid for a manufacturing licences for both the Messerschmit Me 163B Komet airframe and its Walter HWK 509A rocket motor.

The Me 163 had killed more German pilots than it had killed Allied pilots. The following is an interesting comment from the book by William Green, Rocket Fighter regarding the sale of the manufacturing right to Japan.

Although the unstable nature of the fuels that the rocket motor used, and its unpredictable behaviour, were patiently explained to the delegation, the Japanese, in whom fanaticism and fatalism went far deeper than in their German hosts, considered the dangers to be of little consequence.

The first and only flight of a J8M1 was on July 7, 1945. The pilot, Toyohiko Inuzuka, was killed when the rocket motor failed at about 1,300 ft. The J8M1 stalled an dived vertically into the ground. Japan surrender before the test fights could resume.

Powered by a 3,307 Lbs thrust Toko Ro.2 rocket engine. This was modeled after the Walter HWK 508A.

This is the sole remaining J8M1 of 8 built now in the Planes of Fame Museum, Photo 2014. It was shipped from Japan after the end of WWII by USAAF Air Technical Service Command. It was given a Foreign Evaluation number of FE-300 later changed to T2-300.

A glider version of this aircraft, the Yokosuka MXY8, was made to be used as trainer.