- Kokusai Ku-8
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Ku-8 Ku-8II Role Transport glider National origin Japan Manufacturer Kokusai Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Number built 700 Developed from Kokusai Ki-59 The Kokusai Ku-8-II, (Kokusai Type 4 Special Transport Glider[1]), is a Japanese military glider used during the Second World War. The glider was essentially a Kokusai Ki-59, with the engines and fuel tanks removed and a modified undercarriage. It was given the Allied code name Goose and later Gander. It could carry eighteen troops, or 1500 kg of cargo and two crew.
A Ku-8-II version was produced in 1944 that used a tubular steel frame structure, and had a hinged nose that could be opened to the side allow loading. Also, its capacity was increased slightly to carry twenty troops. [2] In total, approximately 700 were built. They were used operationally in the Philippines, primarily to carry supplies.
Variants
- Ku-8I:Prototypes.
- Ku-8II:Military transport glider. Production version.
Operators
Specifications
General characteristics
- Capacity: 20 troops
- Length: 13.31 m (43 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 23.20 m (76 ft 1 in)
- Gross weight: 3,500 kg (7,720 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 224 km/h (140 mph)
- Range: 300 km (190 miles)
References
- ^ Japanese
- ^ *Donaldson, Graham. "The Japanese paratroopers in the Dutch East Indies, 1941-1942". The Netherlands East Indies 1941-1942. http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/japan_paratroop.html.
Aircraft produced by Kokusai Powered aircraft Gliders Ku-7 • Ku-8
World War II Allied reporting names Japanese Army Glider Designation System World War II Allied reporting names for Japanese aircraft Aircraft in Japanese service Abdul • Alf • Ann • Babs • Baka • Belle • Betty • Bob • Buzzard • Cedar • Cherry • Clara • Claude • Cypress • Dave • Dick • Dinah • Dot • Edna • Emily • Eva • Eve • Frances • Frank • Gander • George • Glen • Goose • Grace • Gwen • Hamp • Hank • Hap • Helen • Hickory • Ida (Tachikawa Ki-36) • Ida (Tachikawa Ki-55) • Irving • Jack • Jake • Jane • Jean • Jerry • Jill • Jim • Judy • Kate • Kate 61 • Laura • Lily • Liz • Lorna • Loise • Louise • Luke • Mabel • Mary • Mavis • Myrt • Nate • Nell • Nick • Norm • Oak • Oscar • Pat • Patsy • Paul • Peggy • Perry • Pete • Pine • Rex • Rita • Rob • Rufe • Ruth • Sally • Sally III • Sam • Sandy • Slim • Sonia • Spruce • Stella • Steve • Susie • Tabby • Tess • Thalia • Thelma • Theresa • Thora • Tina • Tillie • Toby • Tojo • Tony • Topsy • Val • Willow • Zeke • Zeke 32
Nonexistent aircraft thought to be in Japanese service Adam • Ben • Doris • Gus • Harry • Ione • Joe • Joyce • Julia • June • Norma • Omar • Ray
Foreign aircraft erroneously thought to be in Japanese service Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- Japanese military transport aircraft 1940–1949
- Glider aircraft
- World War II Japanese transport aircraft
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