Special number 3 light tank Ku-Ro

Special number 3 Ku-Ro (So-Ra)
Special Number 3 light tank prototype mockup
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Production history
Designed1943/1944
Produced1944
No. built1 (prototype mockup only)[1]
Specifications
Mass2.9 t (2.9 long tons; 3.2 short tons) for the tank, with wings added 4.2 t (4.1 long tons; 4.6 short tons)[1]
Length4.07 m (13 ft 4 in)[1]
Width1.44 m (4 ft 9 in)[1]
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Crew2[1]

Main
armament
One Type 100 37 mm tank gun or one 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun or one flamethrower[1]
Secondary
armament
None
EngineMitsubishi Franklin air-cooled inline 4-cylinder gasoline[1]
50 hp (37.28 kW) at 2400 rpm[1]
SuspensionBell crank
Maximum speed 43 km/h (27 mph) on road[1]

The Special number 3 light tank Ku-Ro (特三号戦車 クロ) (also known as the "So-Ra"[1]) was an experimental Japanese winged light tank project, developed during World War II. It is one of the notable aircraft concepts developed during that war.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Special No. 3 Flying Tank "So-Ra" or "Ku-Ro"
  2. ^ Mrazek, James E. (2011). Airborne Combat: The Glider War/Fighting Gliders of World War II. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 347. ISBN 978-0-8117-0808-1.