Secret Weapons of the IJA / IJN

While many sources cover the fantastic aircraft developments of the Germans in World War 2, Japanese engineers were hard at work on their own designs.

There are a total of 28 Secret Weapons of the IJA / IJN in the Military Factory. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator.

This listing attempts to include all manner of special Imperial Japanese Army / Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft projects related to the World War 2 period covering operational, conceptual, and development types. Designs that may have become available in 1946 are part of this showcase - should the war have been prolonged.

Thumbnail picture of the Aichi S1A Denko (Bolt of Lightning)

Aichi S1A Denko (Bolt of Lightning)
The twin-seat, twin-engine Aichi S1A Denko was intended as a successor to the Nakajima J1N1 Gekkou line in the night-fighter role for Japan during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawanishi Baika (Ume Blossom)

Kawanishi Baika (Ume Blossom)
Powered by a pulsejet engine, the Kawanishi Baika was to serve in the kamikaze attack role - none were built by the end of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawanishi J6K Jinpu (Squall)

Kawanishi J6K Jinpu (Squall)
The Kawanishi J6K1 Jinpu, developed as a land-based interceptor, appeared in paper form during 1943 but was destined to never enter serial production during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawanishi K-200

Kawanishi K-200
The Kawanishi K-200 jet-powered flying boat never materialized beyond the planning stage - the end of the war ended any design hopes for Japan.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawasaki Ki-108

Kawasaki Ki-108
The Kawasaki Ki-108 was designed to fulfill a standing heavy interceptor requirement for the Imperial Japanese Army.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawasaki Ki-64 (Rob)

Kawasaki Ki-64 (Rob)
First flight of the Kawasaki Ki-64 heavy fighter was undertaken in December of 1943 though the program was ultimately given up in 1944 with only one example completed.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawasaki Ki-88

Kawasaki Ki-88
The Kawasaki Ki-88 failed to impress during its mock-up stage that it was not ordered into production for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.

Thumbnail picture of the Kawasaki Ki-91

Kawasaki Ki-91
An Allied air raid during early 1945 ended development of the Kawasaki Ki-91 four-engined heavy bomber for Japan.

Thumbnail picture of the Kayaba Katsuodori

Kayaba Katsuodori
Since 1937, Japanese engineers were working on the ramjet concept that was to power the proposed Kayaba Katsuodori ramjet-and-rocket-powered interceptor of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Kyushu J7W Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)

Kyushu J7W Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)
The Kyushu J7W Shinden was specifically developed to combat the destructive Boeing B-29 Superfortresses wreaking havoc on Japanese infrastructure.

Thumbnail picture of the Mansyu / Manshu Ki-98

Mansyu / Manshu Ki-98
The sole prototype of the Mansyu Ki-98 was destroyed by the Japanese before the surrender of 1945 which officially ended World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Mitsubishi J8M (Shusui)

Mitsubishi J8M (Shusui)
The Mitsubishi J8M rocket-propelled interceptor was based on the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet - acquired by Japan via purchase of manufacturing rights.

Thumbnail picture of the Mitsubishi Ki-73 (Steve)

Mitsubishi Ki-73 (Steve)
The Mitsubishi Ki-73 made it to the design stage and no further - Allied intelligence reports assigned it the name of Steve believing it was to enter service soon.

Thumbnail picture of the Mitsubishi Q2M (Taiyo)

Mitsubishi Q2M (Taiyo)
Born during the last desperate months of World War 2, the Japanese Army Mitsubishi Q2M was to become an Anti-Submarine Warfare platform but did not progress beyond the paper stage.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima G10N Fugaku (Mount Fuji)

Nakajima G10N Fugaku (Mount Fuji)
What began as an Army long-range heavy bomber program for Japan during World War 2 became the short-lived Nakajima G10N Fugaku for the Imperial Japanese Navy - none were produced.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima J1N1 Gekko (Irving)

Nakajima J1N1 Gekko (Irving)
The Nakajima J1N1 Gekko served several roles in the Imperial Japanese Navy of World War 2 including reconnaissance, night-fighter, and kamikaze strikes.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima J5N Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder)

Nakajima J5N Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder)
The Nakajima J5N interceptor prototype never managed to live up to its IJN requirements - managing just six prototypes before its end came in February of 1945.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima J9Y Kikka / Kitsuka (Orange Blossom)

Nakajima J9Y Kikka / Kitsuka (Orange Blossom)
Based on the German Me 262 jet-powered fighter, the Nakajima Kikka was one of the Japanese contributions to jet-based aerial warfare before the end of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi

Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi
The Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi became a dedicated suicide fighter for Japan by the closing stages of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu

Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu
The Imperial Japanese Army interpretation of the German Messerschmitt Me 262 plans was to become the Nakajima Ki-201 jet fighter.

Thumbnail picture of the Nakajima Ki-87

Nakajima Ki-87
The Nakajima Ki-87 had origins in work begun during 1942 but the arrival of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber by the Allies accelerated interceptor designs like it.

Thumbnail picture of the Rikugun Ki-202

Rikugun Ki-202
The Rikugun Ki-202 was a more evolved form of the earlier Mitsubishi Ki-200, itself a direct copy of the German Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket plane.

Thumbnail picture of the Rikugun Ki-93

Rikugun Ki-93
Intended for the Imperial Japanese Army of World War 2, the Rikugun Ki-93 heavy fighter only saw one completed prototype before the end, a second laying unfinished.

Thumbnail picture of the Tachikawa Ki-106 (Ki-84 Hayate)

Tachikawa Ki-106 (Ki-84 Hayate)
The Tachikawa Ki-106 was an all-wooden form of the classic Nakajima Ki-94 Hayate fighter line.

Thumbnail picture of the Tachikawa Ki-74 (Pat / Patsy)

Tachikawa Ki-74 (Pat / Patsy)
The end of World War 2 in 1945 signaled the end of the Tachikawa Ki-74 long-range reconnaissance bomber project for Japan.

Thumbnail picture of the Tachikawa Ki-94

Tachikawa Ki-94
The Tachikawa Ki-94 emerged through two very different fighter forms in the latter part of World War 2 - only one was furthered into prototype form.

Thumbnail picture of the Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka (Cherry Blossom)

Yokosuka MXY7-K1 Ohka (Cherry Blossom)
The macabre Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka suicide aircraft never materialized as a serious threat to Allied warships in the Pacific.

Thumbnail picture of the Yokosuka R2Y (Keiun)

Yokosuka R2Y (Keiun)
Just one flyable prototype - eventually destroyed by American bombs - was witnessed for the Yokosuka R2Y fighter project.