Soko J-20 Kraguj

Picture - Yugoslav Air Force J-20 Kraguj

Role: Fighter Bomber
Manufacturer: SOKO
Designed by: VTI
First flight: 1964
Primary user: Yugoslav Air Force
Number built: 85

The Soko J-20 Kraguj (Sparrowhawk) was a Yugoslavian single-seat light ground-attack and counter-insurgency aircraft, first flown in 1964.

Design

It is of classic semi-monocoque, metal structure with a slightly tapered wing. The pilot is accommodated in an enclosed, heated and ventilated cockpit with adjustable seats. The cockpit canopy slides backwards to open. The landing gear is non-retractable with a tail wheel. Rubber dampers provide shock absorption, and hydraulic brakes are used for wheel braking.

The power plant comprises one 340 hp Textron Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6 piston engine and Hartzell HC-B3Z20-1/10151C-5 three-blade metal variable pitch propeller. The engine cooling airflow is intensified by means of two specially designed ejectors. 36 US Gal of fuel contained in two rubber tanks enables a flight range of 350 NM for the fully armed configuration of the aircraft. 28 V DC electric power is supplied from a 1,5 kW generator and a storage battery. De-fogging and de-icing of the windshield is done by blowing of hot air.

Operation

The aircraft was specially designed for low-altitude missions against day and night visible ground targets in a broad area. It was readily available to be loaded with weapons and supplied through a flexible system of auxiliary airfields that required no special preparations, especially in mountainous regions. Yugoslav military planers assumed that potential aggressor will first disable airfields. Therefore, J-20 Kraguj was designed to take-off from short unprepared runways, even ones covered in deep snow when fitted with skis. It was also called a "Partisan aircraft".

The Kraguj P-2 was intended for close ground force support, and could be used for training of pilots in visual day/night flights, aiming, missile firing and bombing of ground targets.

Armament

Permanent armament comprises two wing-mounted 7.7 mm Colt Browning Mk-II machine guns with 650 rounds each and a collimator sight in the cockpit. For combat missions there is a capacity for an external load of bombs and two 57 mm and two 128 mm (HVAR-5) air-to-ground rocket launchers. Adapters on the underwing pylons can be used to switch the armament configuration from free-fall bombs to multi-tube launchers with twelve 57 mm air-to-ground rockets. Cluster or cargo bombs, or 128 mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.

Users

Yugoslavia

Specifications (J-20)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1969-70

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 7.93 m (26 ft 0¼ in)
Wingspan: 10.64 m (34 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10in)
Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 ft²)
Airfoil: NACA 4415
Empty weight: 1130 kg (2,941 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1624 kg (3,580 lb)
Powerplant: 1 x— Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 6-cylinder air cooled horizontally opposed, 254 kW (340 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 295 km/h (159 knots, 183 mph) at 1,500 m (5,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 280 km/h (151 knots, 174 mph)
Stall speed: 88 km/h (48 knots 55 mph)
Range: 800 km (475 NM, 500 mi)

Armament

Guns: 2 x— 7.7 mm Colt Browning Mk.II machine guns (650 rounds each)
Rockets: 2 x— 12 round rocket pack or 6 x— 57 mm or 127 mm rocket
Bombs: 2 x— 100 kg (220 lb) bombs

Comparable aircraft

Morane-Saulnier MS-1500
OV-1 Mohawk
FMA IA 58 Pucarx¡
OV-10 Bronco

Taylor,John W.R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Sampson Low,1969.

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Source: WikiPedia