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Soko J-20 Kraguj

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J-20 Kraguj
J-20 Kraguj in private collection with Yugoslav marks at a local airshow in Serbia, 2009.
General information
TypeCOIN aircraft
ManufacturerSOKO
DesignerAeronautical Technical Institute
StatusRetired in 1989
Primary userYugoslav Air Force (1967–1989)
Number built43
History
Manufactured1964–1977
Introduction date1964
First flight21 November 1962

The Soko J-20 Kraguj (from Serbian: крагуј, lit.'sparrowhawk') is a light military, single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with a metal airframe, capable of performing close air support, counterinsurgency (COIN), and reconnaissance missions, that was designed by VTI and manufactured by SOKO of Yugoslavia, first flown in 1962.

Design

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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.

Armament

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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, bombs, cargo bombs, and 128 mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.

Operation

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Drawing on the nation's experience in WWII, Yugoslav military planners assumed that any potential aggressor would disable airfields early in the conflict. The Kraguj was therefore intended to provide a limited reconnaissance-gathering and strike capability to guerilla and insurgent groups in the event of the neutralization of the Yugoslav Air Force, and was referred to as a "Partisan aircraft". It was designed to operate from short, unprepared auxiliary airfields, especially in mountainous regions, and could be fitted with skis. In addition to its primary role as a ground support platform, it was also used as a trainer, both for basic visual day/night flight and for more advanced ground attack training.

Former operators

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Yugoslavian J-20 Kraguj on display in the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade, Serbia
 Croatia
 Republika Srpska
 Yugoslavia

Specifications (J-20)

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Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1969-70 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.93 m (26 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.64 m (34 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 17.0 m2 (183 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4415
  • Empty weight: 1,130 kg (2,491 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,624 kg (3,580 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 240 L (53 imp gal; 63 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 250 kW (340 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell HC-B3Z20-1 constant-speed propeller, 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 295 km/h (183 mph, 159 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
  • Stall speed: 88 km/h (55 mph, 48 kn) (flaps down)
  • Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 8.00 m/s (1,575 ft/min)
  • Take-off run to 15 m (50 ft): 189 m (620 ft)
  • Landing run from 15 m (50 ft):: 324 m (1,063 ft)

Armament

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

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ J W R Taylor 1969, p.506.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, 1969.
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