Kokusai Ku-8

The Kokusai Ku-8-II (国際 ク8 四式特殊輸送機) (Kokusai Army Type 4 Special Transport Glider ) was a Japanese military glider used during the Second World War. They were usually towed by Mitsubishi G3M or Mitsubishi Ki-21 aircraft.

Design and development
Design of the Ku-8-II began in December 1941, 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. The prototype was completed on May 20, 1943, and took to the air two days later, on May 22, 1943.

A Ku-8-II version that was produced in 1944 used a tubular steel frame structure, and had a hinged nose that could be opened to the side to allow loading. Also, its capacity was increased slightly to carry twenty troops. In total, approximately 700 were built. They were used operationally in the Philippines, primarily to carry supplies.

Variants

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

Operators

 * Imperial Japanese Army
 * Imperial Japanese Army