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 == 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 === 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 == 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
Croatia Croatian Air Force Republika Srpska Republika Srpska Air Force Yugoslavia SFR Yugoslav Air Force
== Specifications (J-20) == Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1969-70 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
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Morane-Saulnier MS-1500
References
Taylor, John W. R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, 1969.
External links
airserbia.com 1000aircraftphotos.com