Maeda Ku-1
Maeda Aircraft Industries · Japan · first flew 1941 · glider
The Maeda Ku-1 (Army Type 2 Small Glider) was a Japanese military transport glider of World War II, distinguished by its twin-boom tail and wooden construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.75 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
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Spot it by:
- Unpowered military transport glider with distinctive twin-boom tail
- High-mounted straight wing, wooden plywood construction
- Capacity for 2 crew and 8 troops
The twin-boom tail with twin fins and rudders, combined with the high straight wing and unpowered configuration, immediately identify the Ku-1 among Japanese WWII aircraft.
Specifications
- The Maeda Ku-1 has a length of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.76 m (55 ft).
- Typical crew: 2 + 8 troops.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1942, the Ku-1 was developed by Maeda Aircraft Industries as a tactical troop-carrying glider for the Imperial Japanese Army. About 100 examples were produced, and the design led to the larger Ku-7 assault glider.
Variants
The Ku-7 was a larger, heavier assault glider developed from the Ku-1 concept.
Where you'll see it
The Ku-1 served with Japanese Army airborne units, although the scale of Japanese glider operations never matched those of Germany or the Allied powers.
Related aircraft
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