| J-20 Kraguj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| J-20 Kraguj in private collection with Yugoslav marks on an local airshow in Serbia, 2009. | |
| Role | COIN |
| Manufacturer | SOKO |
| Designer | Aeronautical Technical Institute |
| First flight | 21 November 1962 |
| Introduction | 1964 |
| Status | Retired in 1989 |
| Primary user | Yugoslav Air Force (1968-1989) |
| Produced | 1968-1977 |
| Number built | 85 |
The J-20 Kraguj (Sparrowhawk) is light military, single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with a metal airframe, capable of performing close air support, counter insurgency (COIN), and reconnaissance missions, that was designed by VTI and manufactured by SOKO of Yugoslavia, first flown in 1962.
Design[]
It is of classic semi-monocoque, metal structure with a slightly tapered wing. The pilot is accommodated in an enclosed, heated and ventilated cockpit with adjustable seats. The cockpit canopy slides backwards to open. The landing gear is non-retractable with a tail wheel. Rubber dampers provide shock absorption, and hydraulic brakes are used for wheel braking. The power plant comprises one 340 hp Textron Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6 piston engine and Hartzell HC-B3Z20-1/10151C-5 three-blade metal variable pitch propeller. The engine cooling airflow is intensified by means of two specially designed ejectors. 36 US Gal of fuel contained in two rubber tanks enables a flight range of 350 NM for the fully armed configuration of the aircraft. 28 V DC electric power is supplied from a 1,5 kW generator and a storage battery. De-fogging and de-icing of the windshield is done by blowing of hot air.
Operation[]
The aircraft was specially designed for low-altitude missions against day and night visible ground targets in a broad area. It was readily available to be loaded with weapons and supplied through a flexible system of auxiliary airfields that required no special preparations, especially in mountainous regions. Yugoslav military planners assumed that potential aggressor will first disable airfields. Therefore, J-20 Kraguj was designed to take-off from short unprepared runways, even ones covered in deep snow when fitted with skis. It was also called a "Partisan aircraft".
The Kraguj P-2 was intended for close ground force support, and could be used for training of pilots in visual day/night flights, aiming, missile firing and bombing of ground targets.
Armament[]
Permanent armament comprises two wing-mounted 7.7 mm Colt Browning Mk-II machine guns with 650 rounds each and a collimator sight in the cockpit. For combat missions there is a capacity for an external load of bombs and two 57 mm and two 128 mm (HVAR-5) air-to-ground rocket launchers. Adapters on the underwing pylons can be used to switch the armament configuration from free-fall bombs to multi-tube launchers with twelve 57 mm air-to-ground rockets. Cluster or cargo bombs, or 128 mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.
Users[]
Yugoslavian J-20 Kraguj on display in the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade, Serbia.
Croatia
- Croatian Air Force - Former operator.
Republika Srpska
- Republika Srpska Air Force - Former operator.
- Yugoslavia
Specifications (J-20)[]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1969-70 [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7.93 m (26 ft 0¼ in)
- Wingspan: 10.64 m (34 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10in)
- Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 ft²)
- Airfoil: NACA 4415
- Empty weight: 1130 kg (2,941 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1624 kg (3,580 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 6-cylinder air cooled horizontally opposed, 254 kW (340 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 295 km/h (159 knots, 183 mph) at 1,500 m (5,000 ft)
- Cruise speed: 280 km/h (151 knots, 174 mph)
- Stall speed: 88 km/h (48 knots 55 mph)
- Range: 800 km (475 NM, 500 mi)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × 7.7 mm Colt Browning Mk.II machine guns (650 rounds each)
- Rockets: 2 × 12 round rocket pack or 6 × 57 mm or 127 mm rocket
- Bombs: 2 × 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ J W R Taylor 1969, p.506.
- Taylor,John W.R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Sampson Low,1969.
External links[]
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