Kokusai Ku-8

The Kokusai Ku-8-II (国際 ク8 四式特殊輸送機, Kokusai ku 8 yonshiki tokushū yusōki) (Kokusai Army Type 4 Special Transport Glider[1]) was a Japanese military glider used during the Second World War.

Ku-8
Ku-8-II
Role Transport glider
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Nippon Kokusai Koku Kogyo K.K
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built ~700
Developed from Kokusai Ki-59

Design and development

Design of the Ku-8-II began in December 1941, 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.

A Ku-8-II version that was produced in 1944 used a tubular steel frame structure, and had a hinged nose that could be opened to the side to 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-8-I:Prototypes.
  • Ku-8-II:Military transport glider. Production version.

Operators
 Japan

Specifications

Data from topsid.com:Kokusai Ku-8-II,[3] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War,[4] Fighting gliders of World War II[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 20 troops, equipped; mountain howitzer with crew / 1,790 kg (3,950 lb) payload
  • Length: 13.31 m (43 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 23.2 m (76 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 2.96 m (9 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 50.5 m2 (544 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,630 kg (3,594 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,500 kg (7,716 lb)

Performance

  • Never exceed speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 15.9:1
  • Maximum towing speed: 224 km/h (139 mph; 121 kn)

See also

Related lists

References
  1. "Japanese Aircraft Designations 1939-1945". rwebs.net. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  3. "Kokusai Ku-8-II". www.topsid.com (in Czech). Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  4. Francillon, Rene (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Limited. p. 484. ISBN 0 370 30251 6.
  5. Mrazek, James E. (1977). Fighting gliders of World War II. London: Hale. pp. 89-95. ISBN 978-0312289270.
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