Kokusai Ku-8

Ku-8

Ku-8II
Role	Transport glider
National origin	Japan
Manufacturer	Kokusai
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built	700
Developed from	Kokusai Ki-59

The Kokusai Ku-8-II (Kokusai Type 4 Special Transport Glider^[1]) was a Japanese military glider used during the Second World War.

Design and development

Design of the Ku-8-II began in December 1941, the glider was essentially a Kokusai Ki-59, with the engines and fuel tanks removed and a modified undercarriage. It was given the Allied code name Goose and later Gander. It could carry eighteen troops, or 1500 kg of cargo and two crew.

A Ku-8-II version that was produced in 1944 used a tubular steel frame structure, and had a hinged nose that could be opened to the side to allow loading. Also, its capacity was increased slightly to carry twenty troops.^[2] In total, approximately 700 were built. They were used operationally in the Philippines, primarily to carry supplies.

Variants

Ku-8I:Prototypes.
Ku-8II:Military transport glider. Production version.

Operators

Japan

Specifications

General characteristics

Capacity: 20 troops
Length: 13.31 m (43 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 23.20 m (76 ft 1 in)
Gross weight: 3,500 kg (7,720 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 224 km/h (140 mph)
Range: 300 km (190 miles)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kokusai Ku-8.

↑ Japanese
↑
- Donaldson, Graham. "The Japanese paratroopers in the Dutch East Indies, 1941-1942". The Netherlands East Indies 1941-1942.

Pacific War Online Encyclopedia

[Weapons and Warfare book 16, page 1682]

Aircraft produced by Kokusai

Powered aircraft	Ki-59 Ki-76 Ki-105

Gliders	Ku-7 Ku-8

World War II Allied reporting names	Buzzard Cypress Gander Goose Stella Theresa

Japanese Army Glider Designation System

Ku-1 Ku-2 Ku-3 Ku-4 Ku-5 Ku-6 Ku-7 Ku-8 Ku-9 Ku-10 Ku-11 Ku-12 Ku-13 Ku-14

World War II Allied reporting names for Japanese aircraft

Aircraft in Japanese service	Abdul Alf Ann Babs Baka Belle Betty Bob Buzzard Cedar Cherry Clara Claude Cypress Dave Dick Dinah Dot Edna Emily Eva Eve Frances Frank Gander George Glen Goose Grace Gwen Hamp Hank Hap Helen Hickory Ida (Tachikawa Ki-36) Ida (Tachikawa Ki-55) Irving Jack Jake Jane Jean Jerry Jill Jim Judy Kate Kate 61 Laura Lily Liz Lorna Loise Louise Luke Mabel Mary Mavis Myrt Nate Nell Nick Norm Oak Oscar Pat Patsy Paul Peggy Perry Pete Pine Rex Rita Rob Rufe Ruth Sally Sally III Sam Sandy Slim Sonia Spruce Stella Steve Susie Tabby Tess Thalia Thelma Theresa Thora Tina Tillie Toby Tojo Tony Topsy Val Willow Zeke Zeke 32

Nonexistent aircraft thought to be in Japanese service	Adam Ben Doris Gus Harry Ione Joe Joyce Julia June Norma Omar Ray

Foreign aircraft erroneously thought to be in Japanese service	Bess (Heinkel He 111) Doc (Messerschmitt Bf 110) Fred (Focke Wulf Fw 190A-5) Irene (Junkers Ju 87A) Janice (Junkers Ju 88A-5) Mike (Messerschmitt Bf 109E) Millie (Vultee V-11GB) Trixie (Junkers Ju 52/3m) Trudy (Focke Wulf Fw 200 Kondor)

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