Kyūshū K11W Shiragiku
Kyūshū Aircraft Company · Japan · first flew 1942 · light aircraft
The Kyūshū K11W Shiragiku, meaning White Chrysanthemum, was a land-based bombing trainer for the Imperial Japanese Navy, used to train crews in bombing, navigation and communications.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.24 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engined mid-wing monoplane with a relatively deep belly
- Retractable undercarriage
- Glazed canopy above the wing for the pilot and radio operator
The crew sat in two compartments: the pilot and radio operator under a canopy above the wing, the others in the lower fuselage.
Specifications
- The Kyūshū K11W Shiragiku has a length of 10.24 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.98 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 230 km/h (143 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed to the 15-Shi specification issued in late 1940 to replace the Mitsubishi K3M. The prototype first flew in November 1942 and production began the same month.
Variants
The K11W1 was the basic trainer of all-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces. The all-wood K11W2 was a utility transport and anti-submarine version. The Q3W1 Nankai was an anti-submarine aircraft based on it, of which one was built.
Where you'll see it
It entered service with the Imperial Japanese Navy in mid-1943 and 798 were built up to August 1945. Many were modified to carry an extra bomb and expended on kamikaze missions in the last stages of the war.
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