World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseDeveloped from the twin-engined Ki-59 passenger transport design, the Ku-8 gliders, designated by the Japanese Army as the Type 4 Special Transport Glider, were the only assault gliders the Japanese employed during WW2. They could each carry 18 troops or about 1,500 kilograms of cargo; a variant design completed in 1944 expanded the passenger capacity to 20 troops. About 700 Ku-8 gliders were built, most of which were used as transports rather in combat. The Allied code name for the Ku-8 design was initially "Goose"; it later changed to "Gander".

SPECIFICATIONS

Ku-8

Armament	None; capacity for 18 troops
Crew	2
Span	23.20 m
Length	13.31 m
Weight, Maximum	3,500 kg
Speed, Maximum	224 km/h
Range, Normal	300 km

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