Ku-7 Manazuru
Ki-105 Otori
Role Transport glider (Ku-7)
Transport aircraft (Ki-105)
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kokusai
First flight 1942
Number built 2[1]
Variants Kokusai Ki-105

The Kokusai Ku-7 Manazuru (真鶴 "white-naped crane"; Allied code-name Buzzard) was a large experimental twin boom Japanese military glider.

Design and development

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").[2] Intended for use as fuel transports, only nine, of 300 ordered, were produced before development priorities were shifted elsewhere.[3]

Variants

Specifications (Ku-7)

Data from Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia,[4] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kokusai Ku-7.
  1. ^ Rottman, Gordon L.; Akira Takizawa (2005). Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II. Elite. Vol. 127. Botley, Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-84176-903-5.
  2. ^ Donaldson, Graham (2000). "The Japanese paratroopers in the Dutch East Indies, 1941-1942". The Netherlands East Indies 1941-1942. Archived from the original on 2015-07-08. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Francillon, Rene (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Limited. p. 485. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  4. ^ Skrzypacz, Marcin (2005). "Kokusai Ku-7 "Manazuru"". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008.
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