EKW C-36

C-36

Role	Ground-attack aircraft
National origin	Switzerland
Manufacturer	EKW
First flight	1939
Introduction	1942
Primary user	Swiss Air Force
Variants	F+W C-3605

The EKW C-36 was an indigenous multi-purpose fighter-bomber designed in 1939 by the Swiss Federal Constructions Works (EKW) and is comparable to the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik. However, this aircraft has a twin fin layout, allowing the rear gunner to have a better visibility range.

A fair few were built and, along with Morane-Saulnier M.S.406's, fought off trespassing Luftwaffe aircraft to defend Swiss neutrality. Soon the aircraft would be relegated to training and target-towing duties. The latest variant of the C-36 aircraft family, the C2605, had its maiden flight in 1968 and in service with the Swiss Air Force until 1988. Thanks to its coloration, the C-3605 was called "Flying Zebra Crossing".^[1].

Many still fly to this very day.

Variants

C-3601: First prototype with long-span wings, fixed undercarriage and powered by 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12YCrs engine.^[2]
C-3602: Second prototype powered by 746 kW (1,000 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Y-51.^[2]
C-3603: Production version with retractable undercarriage, powered by Hispano-Suiza 12 Y-51. Armed by one 20mm Oerlikon cannon firing through propeller hub, two 7.5mm macine guns in the wings and two machine guns in the rear cockpit.^[3]

C-3603-0: Service trial aircraft with long-span (15.10 m (48 ft 6½ in)) wings. 10 built, of which 9 were later converted to C-3603-1 standard.^[3]
C-3603-1: Main production version, with short span (13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)) wings. 142 built by 1944, plus further 6 assembled from spare parts in 1947–48.^[3] 20 converted to target tugs (Schlepp) from 1946 by Farner Werke, and 40 (including surviving original conversions) to improved standard by FFA and Farner from 1953–54.^[4]
C-3603-1 Tr: Advanced trainer version. Two built.^[5]

C-3604: More powerful and heavier armed derivative of C-3603, powered by 929 kW (1,245 hp) Saurer YS-2 (a more powerful Swiss development of the Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51) and carrying an extra two 20mm cannon in its wings. One prototype and twelve production aircraft built.^[6]
C-3605: Turboprop version with Lycoming T53 engine (24 converted from C-3603-1).^[7] It was much larger and also more powerful than the C-3601, with a maximum speed of 560km/h or 296mph.

Operators

Switzerland

Swiss Air Force

Specifications (C-3603)

Data from Enduring Tug:The Swiss C-36 Series^[7]

General characteristics

Crew: Two
Length: 10.25 m (33 ft 2⅓ in)
Wingspan: 13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)
Height: 3.29 m (10 ft 9½ in)
Wing area: 28.4 m² (305.7 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,315 kg (5,103 lb)
Gross weight: 4,085 kg (9,006 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza HS-51 12Y, 746 kW (1,000 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 446 km/h (296 mph)
Range: 680 km (425 miles)
Endurance: 2 hours
Service ceiling: 8,700 m (28,550 ft)
Rate of climb: 10.4 m/s (2,050 ft/min)

Armament

1× 20 mm cannon and 2× 7.5 mm machine guns fixed forwardfiring
2× 7.5 mm machine guns in rear cockpit
400 kg (880 lb) bombs

References

^ C-36 - The Swiss WWII Warbird
^ ^a ^b Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, p. 47.
^ ^a ^b ^c Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, p. 48.
^ Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, pp. 50, 52.
^ Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, p. 50.
^ Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, pp. 49–50.
^ ^a ^b Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001, p. 53.

Gruenenfelder, Michael; Francillon, René J.. "Enduring Tug:The Swiss C-36 Series". Air Enthusiast (Stamford, UK: Key Publishing) (No. 91, January/February 2001): pp. 44–55. ISSN 0143-5450.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 348, 382.
World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 894 Sheet 01.

External links