| K11W Shiragiku |
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| Kyūshū K11W in 1945 surrender markings (painted white and with green crosses in the place of the red Hinomarus). |
| Role |
Bomber crew trainer (K11W1) |
| Manufacturer |
Kyūshū Aircraft Company |
| First flight |
1942 |
| Introduction |
1943 |
| Primary user |
Japan |
| Produced |
1942-1945 |
| Number built |
798 |
The Kyūshū K11W Shiragiku (白菊, "White Chrysanthemum") made by the Kyūshū Aircraft Company, was a land-based bombing trainer aircraft which served in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in the latter years of World War II. As indicated by its Japanese designation, "training aircraft for on-board work" (機上作業練習機, kijō sagyō renshū-ki?), it was designed to train crews in operating equipment for bombing, navigation, and communication, as well as navigation techniques. A total of 798 K11Ws were manufactured, including a small number of K11W2 ASW and transport aircraft alongside the K11W1 trainer variant. These aircraft were also used in kamikaze mission during the last stages of the Pacific War.
[edit] Design and development
A Kyushu K11W Shiragiku, note the non-retractable landing gear.
The Kyūshū K11W had a rather simple mid-wing layout. The crew consisted of a pilot and gunner/radio operator sitting in line under the canopy and the trainee bombardier, trainee navigator, and instructor in the lower fuselage beneath the wing.
The K11W served as the basis for the Q3W1 Nankai (南海, "South Sea") anti-submarine patrol aircraft, which did not progress beyond the development phase. It was enlarged, but unlike the K11W, had retracting landing gear.
[edit] Variants
A Kyushu K11W Shiragiku of the Tokushima Kokutai (Naval Air Base of Tokushima) in flight.
- K11W1 : The basic bomber crew trainer, of all-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces.
- K11W2 : Anti-submarine warfare and transport version of all-wood construction.
- Q3W1 Nankai : Project only.
[edit] Specifications (K11W1)
Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[1]
General characteristics
Performance
- Maximum speed: at 1,700 m (5,600 ft) (124 knots, 143 mph)
- Cruise speed: 175 km/h (95 knots, 109 mph) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
- Range: 1,760 km (950 nmi, 1093 mi)
- Service ceiling: 5,620 m (18,440 ft)
- Climb to 3,000 m (9,845 ft): 19 min 35 s
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 7.7 mm rear-firing machine gun
- Bombs: 2 × 30 kg (66 lb) bombs on training role, or 1 × 250 kg (550 lb) bomb on kamikaze missions
[edit] See also
- Related lists
[edit] References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
- Mondey, David. The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press, 1996. ISBN 1-85152-966-7.
[edit] External links
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Japanese Navy Trainer Aircraft designations
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