Kokusai Ki-76 "Stella"
Kokusai · Japan · first flew 1941 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Kokusai Ki-76 was a Japanese army cooperation and artillery observation aircraft closely resembling the German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch, built for short take-off and landing operations in support of ground forces.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.65 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese STOL liaison and artillery-spotter monoplane
- High-wing with fixed spatted undercarriage optimised for short strips
- Crew of two in a tandem glazed cabin — resembles the Fieseler Storch
A high-wing monoplane with long fixed undercarriage legs designed for rough terrain, a heavily glazed cabin for all-round visibility, and broad straight wings — closely resembling the Fieseler Storch in layout and role.
Specifications
- The Kokusai Ki-76 has a length of 9.65 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 178 km/h (111 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Kokusai (Nippon Koku Kogyo) after studying the Storch concept, the Ki-76 first flew in 1941 and entered Imperial Japanese Army service. It was used extensively in China and later in the Pacific for liaison, observation, and light transport.
Variants
Minor production variants differed in engine and equipment; overall the type remained consistent through its production run.
Where you'll see it
The Ki-76 served the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service from 1942, performing reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and liaison duties until the end of the war.
Related aircraft
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