The Kokusai Ku-7 Manazuru (真鶴 "White-naped Crane"; Allied code-name Buzzard) was a large experimental twin boom Japanese military glider. An enlarged version of the earlier Maeda Ku-1 glider, it was developed during 1942. The use of a twin boom design allowed for a large square cargo door, which meant that the aircraft was capable of carrying either 32 soldiers, 7600 kg of cargo or even a light tank. It required a powerful towing aircraft, either the Nakajima Ki-49 or the Mitsubishi Ki-67, which were in short supply. As a result the aircraft were modified by fitting them with engines, which were designated the Ki-105 Otori (鳳 "Phoenix").[1] Only nine[2] were produced before development priorities were shifted elsewhere.
Variants
- Ku-7: Large experimental military transport glider.
- Ku-7-II: Original designation for the Ki-105.
- Ki-105 Otori: Longe-range fuel tanker aircraft. Powered version. Nine built.
Specifications (Ku-7)
Data from Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia;[3] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Capacity: 32 passengers or 8000kg of supplies or a 8-ton light tank.
- Length: 19.92 m (65 ft 4¼ in)
- Wingspan: 35.0 m (114 ft 10 in)
- Height: ()
- Wing area: 100.37 m² (1080 ft²)
- Empty weight: 3,536 kg (7,800 lb)
- Loaded weight: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
- Useful load: 7,664 kg (16,900 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 355 km/h (192 kn, 220 mph)
- Cruise speed: 220 km/h (108 kn, 125 mph)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
External links
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force aircraft designations |
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Japanese Army Glider Designation System |
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