The Nakajima Kikka was based on the successful German Messerschmitt Me 262 design - at least outwardly.

The Axis partnership of Germany and the Empire of Japan in the Second World War meant that these two nations could work together in a variety of ways to further their global conquest goals. This was true in the way of technological exchanges, particularly in the development of jet-powered aircraft.

Japan maintained an air attaché in Berlin, allowing the nations to further their budding relationship further, and keep one another abreast as to the ongoing wars on dual fronts. With the increasingly successful development progress made on the German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet-powered fighter / bomber, the Japanese decided to further their own model through the Japanese Navy, based highly on the existing and tested German jet.

The successful aircraft firm of Nakajima was tabbed to begin development. This jet-powered fighter (and part-time bomber) would have to be capable of speeds in excess of 430 miles per hour and have provisions for at least one 1,000lb bomb. A fighter variant was envisioned as well, armed with 2 x 30mm Type 5 cannons in the nose.

The design specifications, led by Kazuo Ohno and Kenichi Matsumur, resulted in the Nakajima Kikka (or "Orange Blossom") - a twin-engine, single-seat fighter based highly (at least outwardly) on the German Me 262. Like the Me 262, the system fielded twin turbojet engines under each wing, utilized a powered-tricycle landing gear system, and had a single rudder tail assembly on a traditional low-drag, "pencil" fuselage. Overall the design was build smaller than its German counterpart, mostly due to the fact that the Japanese-engineered turbojets at the time lacked behind the available German-built engines. As such, additional rocket boosters would have to assist the underpowered Tsu-11 ducted-flow engines on take-off. These powerplants would later, and quickly, give way to more adequate Ne-12 turbojets but even still, the Ne-12 would be replaced with the more standard Ne-20 axial flow systems capable of 1,047lbs of thrust. Auxiliary rocket assistance would still be required however. The Nakajima Kikka first flew under its own power on August 7, 1945. A second flight resulted in a damaged Kikka, citing incorrectly mounted rocket-assist pods.

With the impending Japanese defeat, resources were delegated elsewhere. As such the Nakajima Kikka jet fighter program was cancelled, leaving one completed prototype, a second half-built prototype and a planned 18 more Kikka’s in limbo. The end result was to produce the aircraft in various forms including the fighter and bomber version, a reconnaissance version, true interceptor and a two-seat trainer. The Nakajima Kikka would go down in the annals of World War Two history as another Axis "what-if" proposal that may or may not have had devastating results against Allied Forces.

Specifications for the Nakajima Kikka (Orange Blossom):

Designation: Nakajima Kikka
Manufacturer: Nakajima - Japan
Powerplant: 2 x Ne-20 axial-flow turbojet engines generating 1,047lbs of thrust.
Length: 26 feet, 7.75 inches
Wing Span: 32 feet, 9.75 inches
Height: 9 feet, 8 inches
Weight: 5,071lbs (empty); 8,995lbs (Maximum Take-Off Weight)
Maximum Speed: 433 mph
Maximum Range: 586 miles
Armament: 2 x 30mm Type 5 cannon in nose (proposed for fighter variant); 1 x 1,102lb bomb OR 1 x 1,764lb bomb under fuselage.
Crew:1

Models: None. Only one full and one partial prototype was constructed with an additional 18 ordered before the program was officially, and fully, abandoned.

More Pictures of the Nakajima Kikka (Orange Blossom) Jet-Powered Fighter / Bomber

		The second of two Kikka prototypes - this one to be left unfinished at war's end.