Federal construction workshop K + W C-36
| K + W C-36 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 15, 1939 |
| Commissioning: |
1942 |
| Number of pieces: |
142 |
The K + W C-36 was a two-seat reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft of the Swiss Air Force . The developments for this type began at the Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte (K + W) Thun in 1939 under the designation C-3601. After a pilot series, 142 units were built at the Eidgenössische Flugzeugwerke in Emmen and used in the Swiss Air Force between 1942 and 1952.
History of development
When the Second World War broke out in autumn 1939 , the Swiss Air Force at the time was mainly equipped with older Swiss-made aircraft. The only modern aircraft were some Bf 109 and the license-built Morane D-3800 - fighters . Due to the political situation in Europe, it was difficult to acquire modern combat aircraft abroad . That is why the Federal Design Workshop , Flight Department, began designing a multi-purpose aircraft in 1939. This is how the C-36 family came about.
construction
The C-3603 was a two-seat, cantilevered low-wing aircraft with a double tail unit in a composite construction. The armament consisted of a motor cannon , winged machine guns and two movable machine guns for the observer. The C-3603 could also carry bombs or target towing equipment as an external load.
commitment
The C-3603 was primarily used as a reconnaissance aircraft and as a fighter-bomber. She was also known primarily as a target tug for the anti-aircraft units . They also represented enemy bombers for practicing fighter crews. In the fighter-bomber configuration, 50 kg bombs and special bundles of twelve HG-40 hand grenades could be carried on the under wing racks.
Versions
C-3601
First prototype with maiden flight in 1939. In this version, the C-36 was designed with a rigid landing gear. He crashed on August 11, 1939 while attempting to fly. The pilot was able to save himself with the parachute .
C-3602
Second, improved prototype. He received u. a. a retractable landing gear.
C-3603
Major version of the C-36 family, powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51 . After a pilot series of ten units, 142 units of this type were built by the Eidgenössische Flugzeugwerke. Over the years the Flugwaffe lost 28 machines, killing 37 crew members. Another six machines had to be written off as a total loss after accidents. These machines remained in use until 1952.
C-3603-1 tow
The main difference between the towing version and the normal version was the towing device, which was operated by the towing mechanic directly from the cockpit. In addition, the C-3603-1 received an extended cabin glazing and a cladding for the tow rope between the cabin roof and the double tail unit.
C-3604
Further development of the C-3603. Instead of the Hispano-Suiza engine, it had a Saurer YS-2 with 1250 hp. In 1946, 13 existing C-3603s were converted to this version.
C-3605
The C-3605 was developed from the mid-1960s and had its maiden flight on August 19, 1968. With a top speed of 560 km / h, it was the best-powered version of the C-36 family. When the engines of the C-3603 aircraft, which were still used as target tugs, showed signs of aging, 24 of them were modified with a Lycoming T53 turbine. These units remained in service with the Swiss Air Force until 1988. Particularly noteworthy on these aircraft is their characteristic painting. Since this pattern was only used as a target tug for the Flab troops, it was given a striking yellow-black paint job that was supposed to increase safety. For this reason, the C-3605 was given the nickname "Flying Zebra Crossing".
Military use
Technical specifications
C-3603
| Parameter | C-3603 | C-3605 |
|---|---|---|
| crew | 2 | 2 |
| length | 10.23 m | 12.93 m |
| span | 15.10 m | 13.74 m |
| height | 3.29 m | 3.60 m |
| Wing area | 32.4 m² | 28.7 m² |
| Empty weight | 2272 kg | 2840 kg |
| Max. Payload | 1680 kg | 1940 kg |
| Max. Weight in flight | 3952 kg | 4780 kg |
| drive | Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51 with 1,000 PS (735 kW) | Avco Lycoming T-53-L-7A with 1,150 PS (846 kW) |
| Max. speed | 476 km / h | 560 km / h |
| Initial climb power | 10.4 m / s | 12.5 m / s |
| Wing loading | 122 kg / m² | 167 kg / m² |
| Service ceiling | 8700 m above sea level M. | 11,500 above sea level M. |
| Range | 680 km | 600 km |
| Flight duration | 2 h | 2 h |
| Armament | a 20 mm motor cannon, 4 × 7.5 mm machine guns in the wings, two wing racks for carrying a 400 kg bomb load |
no |
Airworthy specimens
C-3603
C-547 formerly C-3605, after its retirement it was dismantled into the original C-3603 version, after the dismantling it was registered in Switzerland as HB-RBI. After a restoration, the aircraft was re-registered as D-FRBI in 2013.
C-3605
C-493 new as F-AZCC
C-494 new as HB-RDB at Verein Historic & Classic Airplanes, Rheinholzweg 6, 9423 Altenrhein, Switzerland
C-552 new as G-DORN
C-535 new as D-FOXY (since 27. September 2002 damaged and not ready to fly due to accident)
Exhibits in museums
C-3603
C-534 Flieger-Flab-Museum in Dübendorf, CH
C-537 Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, CH
C-3605
C-483 Planes of Fame Eden Praire, Minnesota, USA
C-497 Flieger-Flab-Museum in Dübendorf, CH
C-xxx The air museum - Planes of fame Chino, California, USA
C-535 Technikmuseum Sinsheim-Speyer, DE
C-541 Air exhibition Hermeskeil / Hunsrück (www.flugausstellung.de)
Trivia
The names from C-3601 to C-3605 correspond to the postcodes of the city of Thun .
Web links
- ( Page no longer available , search in web archives: C-3603 on the Virtual Aviation Museum website )
- C-3605 at Airliners.net
Individual evidence
- ↑ EKW C-3603 D-FRBI - MeierMotors GmbH. Retrieved May 9, 2019 .