Kokusai Ki-76
| Kokusai Ki-76 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Liaison aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 1941 |
| Commissioning: |
1942 |
| Number of pieces: |
≈940 |
The Kokusai Ki-76 ( Allied code name : Stella ) is a Japanese liaison and artillery observation aircraft from the Second World War .
development
Under the impression of the STOL properties of the German Fieseler Storch , the Japanese army commissioned the Kokusai company to develop a similar pattern that was to be used for artillery observation and as a liaison aircraft. The usability of provisional airfields, a flight duration of three hours and a take-off and landing distance of 45 meters at 40 km / h and 4 m / s headwind were required as specifications. The designers under the direction of Kozo Masuhara based themselves on the external appearance of the prototype and developed a stripped shoulder wing with a rigid rear wheel landing gear. The visible difference to the Storch was the use of an air-cooled star instead of a hanging V-motor . Another special design feature was the Fowler flaps , which were synchronously coupled with the adjustable horizontal stabilizer and which, together with the slats , should enable short take-off and landing properties.
The Ki-76 took off on its maiden flight in May 1941 and was then subjected to extensive testing which lasted until November of the following year. In the same month, the order for series production under the designation Type 3, command liaison aircraft ( 三 式 指揮 連絡 機 , San-shiki shiki renrakuki ) was issued. The aircraft, which was produced in large numbers, could be flown well by less experienced pilots and was used extensively by the Japanese artillery units. Towards the end of 1943, some Ki-76s were converted for carrier use with a catch hook and two external load stations for carrying depth charges. They were stationed on the escort aircraft carrier Akitsu Maru , which was completed in 1942, and used to combat submarines , but were not able to convince in this role.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 (pilot, observer / gunner) |
| span | 15 m |
| length | 9.56 m |
| height | 2.9 m |
| Wing area | 29.4 m² |
| Empty mass | 1100 kg |
| Takeoff mass | normal 1530 kg maximum 1620 kg |
| drive | an air-cooled 9-cylinder radial engine Ha-42 |
| power | 228 kW (310 PS) start 206 kW (280 PS) in 2000 m |
| Top speed | 178 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 5630 m |
| Range | 750 km |
| Armament | a movable 7.7 mm MG Type 89 in the defensive position |
| Drop ammunition | two 60 kg depth charges |
See also
- Antonow OKA-38 , a Soviet copy of the Fieseler Storch
literature
- Kristoffer Daus: Kokusai Ki-76. The better stork. In: Aviation Classics. No. 06/2019, Motor Presse, Stuttgart, pp. 36–39.
- Peter Alles-Fernandez (Ed.): Aircraft from A to Z. Volume 2: Consolidated PBY - Koolhoven FK 55 . Bernard & Graefe, Koblenz 1989, ISBN 3-7637-5905-0 , p. 429 .
- Kokusai Ki-76 . In: Fliegerrevue . No. 4/1987 (410) . Military Publishing House of the GDR, Berlin, p. 124 (Who? When? What?).
