Kawanishi K-12 Sakura
Kawanishi · Japan · first flew 1928 · light aircraft
The Kawanishi K-12 Sakura was a Japanese experimental long-range aircraft of the 1920s, built to attempt the first non-stop flight across the Pacific. It was a single-engined high-wing monoplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large all-wooden high-wing monoplane
- Single BMW VI V12 engine in the nose
- Fixed tailwheel undercarriage
A big high-winged single-engined monoplane of 19 m span with a wooden airframe and a tailwheel undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Kawanishi K-12 Sakura has a length of 11.6 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.05 m (62 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Kawanishi began the design in September 1927, hoping to win a newspaper prize for the first non-stop Pacific crossing. The aircraft was of all-wooden construction and used a BMW VI V12 engine built under licence by Kawasaki. The first example was completed in May 1928.
Variants
Two aircraft were built: the first for training and as a stand-by, and the second for the Pacific attempt. The second was named Nichi-Bei-Go.
Where you'll see it
Flight tests showed that the airframe was too heavy to carry enough fuel for the crossing and could not be practicably modified. The project was abandoned and no Pacific flight was attempted.
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