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Kokusai Ki-76 ( 三式指揮連絡機)
The Kokusai Ki-76 is a Japanese combat/liaison aircraft that was also used as an ASW aircraft. The Ki-76 was created in 1941, but was introduced into operational operations in 1943, on board the aircraft carrier (the first helicopter) Akitsu Maru, where it served together with the Kayaba Ka-1 and Kayaba Ka-2. About 1000 Ki-76 aircraft were produced.
History
In August 1940, the Japanese army ordered the Japan Aviation Industry (日本航空工業) to build a new light reconnaissance and liaison aircraft, based on the Fieseler Fi 156 aircraft. The Japanese then probably buy the plans of the Fi 156 aircraft. The Japanese army is not going to pay Germany for license production, so it was required that the new aircraft be produced as Japanese (although based on the very successful Fi 156). The new aircraft was designed by engineer Masuura Kozo. In January 1941, the Japanese army command accepted the design of a new aircraft (the future Ki-76) and ordered the production of a prototype. Also in January 1941, one Fi 156C was purchased in Germany to be tested together with the Ki-76 prototype. By May 1941, the first prototype of the Ki-76 was ready and its trials began. In May or June 1941, the ordered Fieseler Fi 156C aircraft also arrived in Japan and comparative tests began. The Ki-76 prototype and the Fieseler Fi 156 were very similar in terms of performance. However, the Ki-76 had a shorter span and landing distance, as well as better visibility from the cockpit (thanks to the radial engine). Therefore, the Japanese Army Command decided that the Ki-76 aircraft was the winner. However, the Ki-76 aircraft still had two years of tests and research to do. The Kokusai Ki-76 was not introduced into operational operations until December 1943. One of the first users of the Ki-76 was the 1st Independent Aviation Squadron (独立飛行第1中隊), which was stationed on the escort carrier (helicopter) Akitsu Maru and consisted of 10 aircraft (along with the Ka-1 and Ka-2 gyroplanes). The Ki-76 aircraft from Akitsu Maru were equipped with landing hooks and had the ability to attach bombs under the belly. The 1st Independent Air Squadron operated until 15 November 1944, when the Akitsu Maru was sunk. The Ki-76 was also used by normal Japanese army units as reconnaissance and liaison aircraft. At the end of the war, the Japanese army tried to build a few more ships similar to the Akitsu Maru, but failed. The Americans gave the Ki-76 aircraft the code name “Stella”. About 1000 Ki-76 aircraft were produced, which, apart from Japan, were also used in Thailan.
Kokusai Ki-76 and Akitsu Maru
Construction description
The Kokusai Ki-76 is a high-wing aircraft with a truss covered canvas with a fixed landing gear. The plane from the side is similar to the Fi 156, but these are only appearances. The fuselage is rounded in cross-section, with large windows. The aircraft has electric Fowler flaps. The aircraft was powered by a Hitachi Ha42 radial engine engine with a take-off power of 310 hp, which drove a two-bladed wooden propeller with a diameter of 2.50 m. The crew of the plane consisted of three people. The defensive armament is a 7.7mm Te-4 or Type 98 machine gun in the rear position. The aircraft could carry up to 200 kg of bombs under the fuselage.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 9,56 m
- Wingspan: 15,00 m
- Height: 3,30 m
- Wing area: 29,40 m2
- Empty weight: 1110kg
- Gross weight: 1540 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 1623 kg
- Powerplant: 1 x Hitachi Ha-42, air-cooled radial nine-cylinder engine with take-off power of 310 hp (228 kW)
- Propellers: two-bladed wooden propeller with a diameter of 2500 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 178km/h
- Cruising speed: 90 km/h
- Range: 750km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 5630 mln
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 22,75 min to 4000 m
- Take off length: 49 ~ 68 m at head wind 4 m/s
- Landing length: 45 ~ 61 m at head wind 4 m/s
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Te-4 7.7mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position ,or
- 1 x Type 98 7.7mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position
- Bombs
- 2 x 100 kg depth charges (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 100 kg bombs (?) (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 60 kg depth charges (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 60 kg bombs (?) (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 50 kg depth charges (?) (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 50 kg bombs (?) (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 30 kg depht charges (under the fuselage)
- 4 x 15 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
Special thanks
Summary
The Kokusai Ki-76 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft could be a Japanese Po-2 that could land even in small zones in land and sea battles. The plane also has a highly diversified payload that it can carry. It should be remembered that depth charges are able to sink ships, not only micro-sized ones. In addition, in the future, this aircraft could be used for anti-submarine warfare or as a reconnaissance aircraft. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
三式指揮連絡機 - Wikipedia
Kokusai Ki-76 - Wikipedia
Lancer
【キ76】三式指揮連絡機/国際Kokusai Ki-76 | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器
Nikkoku Ki-76, Type 3 Command Liaison Aircraft - Japan - War Thunder - Official Forum
Kokusai Ki 76 [Stella] : Kokusai
Уголок неба ¦ Kokusai Ki-76
Kokusai Ki-76 “Stella” — avionslegendaires.net
Kokusai Ki.76 Type 3 (Stella) Info
Kokusai Ki-76. Combat Use
Kokusai Ki-76 Stella
Kokusai Ki-76 STELLA - liason
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 147-149
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