Kubulius Ku-3: Difference between revisions

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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
  |name = VG-33
|name = Kubulius Ku-3
  |image = File:Arsenal VG-30 at Paris Air Show 1938.jpg
|image = Ku-3.jpg
  |caption = Arsenal VG-30 protype at [[Paris Air Show]] 1938
|alt =  
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
  |type = Fighter
| type = Fighter<br>
  |manufacturer = [[Arsenal de l'Aéronautique]]
| national origin = [[Silua]]
  |designer = Jean Galtier
| manufacturer = [[Kubulius Design Bureau|Kubulius Design Bureau]]
  |first flight = 25 April 1939
| designer = Vaida and Iruna Cibaite
  |introduction = 1940
| first flight = 1933
  |retired =
| introduced = 1935
  |status =
| retired = 1947
  |primary user = [[French Air Force|Armée de l'Air]]
| status = Retired
  |more users = [[Luftwaffe]]
| primary user = [[Siluan Air Force]]
  |produced =
| more users =
  |number built = <50
| produced = 1940-1948
  |unit cost =
| number built = 10,955
  |developed from =
| program cost =
  |variants with their own articles =
| unit cost =
| developed from =
| variants with their own articles =
| developed into = [[Kubulius Ku-13]]
}}
}}
|}
|}
The Kubulius Ku-3 was a family of Siluan light fighter aircraft of the 1940s.  The Ku-3 was produced in large numbers and was exported throughout Tyran
==Development==
The original specification that led to the Ku-3 series was offered in 1936 in order to quickly raise the number of modern aircraft in Siluan service, by supplying a "light fighter" of simple construction that could be built rapidly in large numbers. The contract originally resulted in three designs, the N.O.G. 52, the Talin Ta-17 and the Ku-00. Prototypes of all three were ordered.
Because Military Order 13478-93X which diverted all metal to the army and navy, the Ku-00 was all wooden in construction, using [[plywood]] over stringers in a semi-monocoque construction. The layout was conventional, a low-wing monoplane.  Armament consisted of a 20mm [[Tanin MG 32]] cannon firing through the propeller hub, and four 7.5mm Mogh MG 30 drum-fed machine guns, two in each wing.  The design was supposed to be powered by the [[Kavu Dc 31|Kavu Dc 31]] flat-12 air-cooled inline engine, but this ran into development problems. The prototype was then fitted with a [[Ravumo Varikliai12X]]crs instead, and flew in this form in October 1938.
In order to find some solution to the engine problem, the '''Ku-1''' was to use the 632 kW (860 hp) [[Ravumo Varikliai12Y]]-31and the '''Ku-2''' the [[Gilbert V-1710]]C-15. The Ku-1 flew in 1939 and proved to have excellent performance. The prototype Ku-2 was completed in 1940.
The '''Ku-3''' was a modified version of the Ku-1 using the same 12Y-31, and first flew on April 25, 1939. It had a surprisingly good performance of 560 km/h (348mph), and was ordered into production with a contract for 220 aircraft in September, later raised to 1,000. Production did not take long to start and progressed quickly
Further developments continued while the Ku-3 production started. The '''Ku-4''' mounted the newer 688 kW (935 hp) 12Y-45, the '''Ku-6''' used the 735 kW (1,000 hp) 12Y-51 originally intended for the '''Ku-5''', and introduced a new streamlined radiator. Single prototypes of all three were built and flown in early 1940. The '''Ku-7''' was an extended-range version of the Ku-6, while the '''Ku-8''' was to have used the 12Y-77, but neither was built.
The last in the series was the '''Ku-9''', originally powered by the new 882 kW(1,200 hp) 12Y-89 using an extension shaft on the propeller to streamline the nose profile, giving the plane an excellent speed of 625 km/h (388 mph) even when loaded down with two more machine guns.  The Ku-9 used the streamlined radiator intake design from the Ku-6.  With the development of the Ku-9, 500 of the original Ku-3 order were changed to the Ku-9 with additional 1,000 Ku-9s ordered and production began in June of 1940.
==Operational History==
==Variants==
*Ku-00 – The original powerplant was the  Kavu Dc 31 flat-12 air-cooled inline engine, but the prototype was fitted with a Ravumo Varikliai 12Xcrs, and flew in this form in October 1938.
*Ku-1 – Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-31 powered prototype.
*Ku-2 – Gilbert V-1710C-15 powered prototype.
*Ku-3 – First production model with Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-31 engine
*Ku-4 – 697 kW (935 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-45 engine. 360 mph (600 km/h). Prototype only.
*Ku-5 – Ku-3 variant with newer engine. One built.
*Ku-6 – 746 kW (1,000 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-51 engine. Prototype only.
*Ku-7 – Extended-range version of the Ku-6. Not built.
*Ku-8 – projected for Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-77 engine. Not built.
*Ku-9 – Final prototype version powered by the 954 kW (1,280 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Z engine. 393 mph (655 km/h).
*Ku-9sal - Production variant powered by the 1193 kW (1,600 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Z-17 engine. 4x 13 mm Mogh MG 41 replaced 4x Mogh MG 30 7.5 mm machine guns.
==Operators==
;{{flagicon image|SiluaFlag2.png|border|22px}} [[Silua]]
*5,198 of all variants operated by [[Siluan Air Force]]
==Specifications (Ku-9sal)==
[[File:Kubulius_ku-9_N1M.gif|frameless|right|upright=1.35|Orthographically projected diagram of the Ku-9 N3M]]
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length m=8.75
|length note=
|span m=10.5
|span note=
|height m=3.70
|height note=
|wing area sqm=14
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight kg=2110
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=3000
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Ravumo Varikliai 12Z
|eng1 type=V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 note={{cvt|1193|kW|hp|0}}
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=light-alloy constant-speed propellers
|prop dia m=3
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=633
|max speed note=at {{cvt|7000|m|0}}
|cruise speed kmh=466
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=100
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=1350
|range note=
|combat range km= 675
|combat range note=
|ferry range km= 2700
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=12000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=24.8
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|6000|m|0}} in 4 minutes
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br/>
:* 4 × {{cvt|13|mm|3}} [[Mogh MG 41]] machine guns in the wings with 400 rpg
:* 1 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[Tanin MG 32]] cannon in propeller hub with 250 rpg
}}

Latest revision as of 04:13, 30 March 2024

Kubulius Ku-3
Ku-3.jpg
Role Fighter
National origin Silua
Manufacturer Kubulius Design Bureau
Designer Vaida and Iruna Cibaite
First flight 1933
Introduction 1935
Retired 1947
Status Retired
Primary user Siluan Air Force
Produced 1940-1948
Number built 10,955
Developed into Kubulius Ku-13

The Kubulius Ku-3 was a family of Siluan light fighter aircraft of the 1940s. The Ku-3 was produced in large numbers and was exported throughout Tyran

Development

The original specification that led to the Ku-3 series was offered in 1936 in order to quickly raise the number of modern aircraft in Siluan service, by supplying a "light fighter" of simple construction that could be built rapidly in large numbers. The contract originally resulted in three designs, the N.O.G. 52, the Talin Ta-17 and the Ku-00. Prototypes of all three were ordered.

Because Military Order 13478-93X which diverted all metal to the army and navy, the Ku-00 was all wooden in construction, using plywood over stringers in a semi-monocoque construction. The layout was conventional, a low-wing monoplane. Armament consisted of a 20mm Tanin MG 32 cannon firing through the propeller hub, and four 7.5mm Mogh MG 30 drum-fed machine guns, two in each wing. The design was supposed to be powered by the Kavu Dc 31 flat-12 air-cooled inline engine, but this ran into development problems. The prototype was then fitted with a Ravumo Varikliai12Xcrs instead, and flew in this form in October 1938.

In order to find some solution to the engine problem, the Ku-1 was to use the 632 kW (860 hp) Ravumo Varikliai12Y-31and the Ku-2 the Gilbert V-1710C-15. The Ku-1 flew in 1939 and proved to have excellent performance. The prototype Ku-2 was completed in 1940.

The Ku-3 was a modified version of the Ku-1 using the same 12Y-31, and first flew on April 25, 1939. It had a surprisingly good performance of 560 km/h (348mph), and was ordered into production with a contract for 220 aircraft in September, later raised to 1,000. Production did not take long to start and progressed quickly

Further developments continued while the Ku-3 production started. The Ku-4 mounted the newer 688 kW (935 hp) 12Y-45, the Ku-6 used the 735 kW (1,000 hp) 12Y-51 originally intended for the Ku-5, and introduced a new streamlined radiator. Single prototypes of all three were built and flown in early 1940. The Ku-7 was an extended-range version of the Ku-6, while the Ku-8 was to have used the 12Y-77, but neither was built.

The last in the series was the Ku-9, originally powered by the new 882 kW(1,200 hp) 12Y-89 using an extension shaft on the propeller to streamline the nose profile, giving the plane an excellent speed of 625 km/h (388 mph) even when loaded down with two more machine guns. The Ku-9 used the streamlined radiator intake design from the Ku-6. With the development of the Ku-9, 500 of the original Ku-3 order were changed to the Ku-9 with additional 1,000 Ku-9s ordered and production began in June of 1940.

Operational History

Variants

  • Ku-00 – The original powerplant was the Kavu Dc 31 flat-12 air-cooled inline engine, but the prototype was fitted with a Ravumo Varikliai 12Xcrs, and flew in this form in October 1938.
  • Ku-1 – Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-31 powered prototype.
  • Ku-2 – Gilbert V-1710C-15 powered prototype.
  • Ku-3 – First production model with Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-31 engine
  • Ku-4 – 697 kW (935 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-45 engine. 360 mph (600 km/h). Prototype only.
  • Ku-5 – Ku-3 variant with newer engine. One built.
  • Ku-6 – 746 kW (1,000 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-51 engine. Prototype only.
  • Ku-7 – Extended-range version of the Ku-6. Not built.
  • Ku-8 – projected for Ravumo Varikliai 12Y-77 engine. Not built.
  • Ku-9 – Final prototype version powered by the 954 kW (1,280 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Z engine. 393 mph (655 km/h).
  • Ku-9sal - Production variant powered by the 1193 kW (1,600 hp) Ravumo Varikliai 12Z-17 engine. 4x 13 mm Mogh MG 41 replaced 4x Mogh MG 30 7.5 mm machine guns.

Operators

Silua

Specifications (Ku-9sal)

Orthographically projected diagram of the Ku-9 N3M

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 14 m2 (150 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 2,110 kg (4,652 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Ravumo Varikliai 12Z V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine 1,193 kW (1,600 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed light-alloy constant-speed propellers, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 633 km/h (393 mph; 342 kn) at 7,000 m (22,966 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 466 km/h (290 mph; 252 kn)
  • Stall speed: 100 km/h (62 mph; 54 kn)
  • Range: 1,350 km (839 mi; 729 nmi)
  • Combat range: 675 km (419 mi; 364 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,700 km (1,678 mi; 1,458 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 24.8 m/s (4,880 ft/min)
  • Time to altitude: 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in 4 minutes

Armament

  • Guns:
  • 4 × 13 mm (0.512 in) Mogh MG 41 machine guns in the wings with 400 rpg
  • 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Tanin MG 32 cannon in propeller hub with 250 rpg
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