Military Wiki
Ku-7 Manazuru
Ki-105 Otori
Ku-7 glider
Role Transport glider (Ku-7)
Transport aircraft (Ki-105)
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kokusai

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[]

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[]

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