Ki-59 "Theresa", Japanese Transport Aircraft (original) (raw)
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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Kokusai Ki-59
| Crew | 2 or 3 |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 8 |
| Dimensions | 55'10" by 41'0" by 10'0" 17m by 12.5m by 3.05m |
| Weight | 6349-9348 lbs 2880-4240kg |
| Cruising speed | 186 mph at 6560 feet 299 km/h at 2000 meters |
| Wing area | 413 square feet 38.4 square meters |
| Power plant | Two 510 hp (380 kW) Type 98 (Hitachi Ha-13a) 9-cylinder radial engines driving three-blade propellers. |
| Production | 59 by Nippon Kokusai Koku Kogyo K.K. (Hiratska) |
The Kokusai Ki-59 light transport aircraft was an improved version of an unsuccessful civilian design, the Teradakoken TK-3. The Japanese Army substituted more powerful engines than those in the original design, and modified the shape of the nose, undercarriage fairings, and vertical tail surfaces. The aircraft that resulted was acceptable in performance. However, it was soon superseded by a transport version of the Hickory, since the passenger capacity of "Theresa" was inadequate for paratroop drops.
The design was revived in December 1941 as the basis for theKu-8 "Gander" glider.
References
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