Kolesnikov-Tsybin KC-20
Kolesnikov-Tsybin · Soviet Union · first flew 1941 · glider
The Kolesnikov-Tsybin KC-20, or KTs-20, was a Soviet light troop military glider of the Second World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slim rectangular-section fuselage with double doors on both sides |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing wooden glider
- Double tailfin
- Slim rectangular-section fuselage with double doors on both sides
A wooden high-wing glider with a double tailfin and a slim fuselage with the pilot's cab in front and a transport compartment behind. It lacked a big cargo hatch, so guns could only be carried in parts.
Specifications
- The Kolesnikov-Tsybin KC-20 has a length of 14.12 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 23.8 m (78 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Dmitry Kolesnikov and Pavel Tsybin designed it after the German attack of 1941 showed a need for transport gliders. Two prototypes were built in October 1941, and the name came from the designers' initials and the number of troops carried.
Variants
It was initially planned to fit a rear machine gun turret, hence the double tailfin, but the plan was abandoned.
Where you'll see it
Sixty-eight were built in 1942 and 1943 and used mainly to supply Soviet partisans, most intensively in Belarus from April to November 1943. They were towed mainly by DB-3 bombers, and also flew an air bridge from Moscow to the Stalingrad area in November 1942.
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