Kokusai Ku-8

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A Ku-8-11 glider on the ground.

The Kokusai Ku-8 (Type 4 Special Transport Glider^[1]) is a Japanese military glider used during the Second World War. 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 was produced in 1944 that used a tubular steel frame structure, and had a hinged nose that could be opened to the side 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.

[edit] Variants

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

[edit] Operators

Japan

v • d • e 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

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