The EKW C-36 was a Swiss multi-purpose combat aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s, built by the Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette. It was a single-engined monoplane with a crew of two. It entered service during World War II in 1942, and despite being obsolete, remained in front line use until the early 1950s, and as a target tug until 1987.
In 1935, the Swiss Air Force developed a requirement for a replacement for the Fokker C.V-E biplanes, which were used as reconnaissance aircraft, escort fighters and patrol aircraft. To meet this requirement, the Swiss Federal Constructions Works (EKW) proposed two designs, a modernised C.V, the EKW C-35 and an all new monoplane, the C-36.[1]
Orders for 80 C-35s were placed in 1936, but no decision was made about whether to order the C-36, with preference being given to the purchase of foreign twin-engined aircraft for the role, attempts been made to buy Messerschmitt Bf 110s from Germany or Potez 63s from France. These attempts failed, however, and in 1938 approval was given for EKW to complete detailed design of the C-36 and to build a prototype.[2]
The first prototype, the C-3601, carried out its maiden flight on 15 May 1939. It was a low-winged cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction. It was powered by a single licence-built Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine driving a three-bladed variable-pitch propeller. A crew of two sat in tandem under a long, continuous canopy. The aircraft was fitted with a twin tail, and had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage.[2]
The C-3601 crashed on 20 August 1939 due to wing flutter, but a second prototype, the C-3602, which had a more powerful engine and a constant-speed propeller flew on 30 November that year. Testing was successful, and orders were placed in 1940 for an initial batch of 10 C-3603 with a retractable undercarriage.[3]
Operational historyedit
The C-3603s, along with EKW D-3801s, fought off trespassing aircraft to defend Swiss neutrality, but were soon relegated to training and target-towing duties. The last variant of the C-36 aircraft family, the turboprop powered C-3605, had its maiden flight in 1968 remaining in service with the Swiss Air Force until 1988. Thanks to its Black and yellow striped colouration, the C-3605 was called "Flying Zebra Crossing".[4] After retirement several aircraft were kept airworthy on the Civil aircraft register.
Variantsedit
C-3601
First prototype with long-span wings, fixed undercarriage and powered by 641 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12YCrs engine.[2]
C-3602
Second prototype powered by 746 kW (1,000 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Y-51.[2]
C-3603
C-3603
Production version with retractable undercarriage, powered by Hispano-Suiza 12 Y-51. Armed by one 20mm Oerlikon moteur-canon cannon firing through propeller hub, two 7.5mm machine guns in the wings and two machine guns in the rear cockpit.[5]
C-3603-0
Service trial aircraft with long-span (15.10 m (48 ft 6½ in)) wings. 10 built, of which 9 were later converted to C-3603-1 standard.[5]
C-3603-1
Main production version, with short span (13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)) wings. 142 built by 1944, plus further 6 assembled from spare parts in 1947–48.[5] 20 converted to target tugs (Schlepp) from 1946 by Farner Werke, and 40 (including surviving original conversions) to improved standard by FFA and Farner from 1953–54.[6]
The more heavily armed and powerful C-3604 in 1950
C-3604
More powerful and heavier armed derivative of C-3603, powered by 929 kW (1,245 hp) Saurer YS-2 (a more powerful Swiss development of the Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51) and carrying an extra two 20mm cannon in its wings. One prototype and twelve production aircraft built.[8]
Turboprop version with Lycoming T53 engine (24 converted from C-3603-1).[9] It was much larger and also more powerful than the C-3601, with a maximum speed of 560km/h or 296mph.
Gruenenfelder, Michael; Francillon, René J. "Enduring Tug:The Swiss C-36 Series". Air Enthusiast. No. 91, January/February 2001. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. pp. 44–55. ISSN 0143-5450.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 348, 382.
World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 894 Sheet 01.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to EKW C-3603.
(in German)
Aircraft Walkaround - Dübendorf Museum
April 14, 2024
swiss, multi, purpose, combat, aircraft, 1930s, 1940s, built, eidgenoessische, konstruktionswerkstaette, single, engined, monoplane, with, crew, entered, service, during, world, 1942, despite, being, obsolete, remained, front, line, until, early, 1950s, target. The EKW C 36 was a Swiss multi purpose combat aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s built by the Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette It was a single engined monoplane with a crew of two It entered service during World War II in 1942 and despite being obsolete remained in front line use until the early 1950s and as a target tug until 1987 C 36Swiss C 3603 circa 1942Role Ground attack aircraftNational origin SwitzerlandManufacturer EKWFirst flight 15 May 1939Introduction 1942Primary user Swiss Air ForceNumber built 175Variants F W C 3605 Contents 1 Development and design 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications C 3603 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksDevelopment and design editIn 1935 the Swiss Air Force developed a requirement for a replacement for the Fokker C V E biplanes which were used as reconnaissance aircraft escort fighters and patrol aircraft To meet this requirement the Swiss Federal Constructions Works EKW proposed two designs a modernised C V the EKW C 35 and an all new monoplane the C 36 1 Orders for 80 C 35s were placed in 1936 but no decision was made about whether to order the C 36 with preference being given to the purchase of foreign twin engined aircraft for the role attempts been made to buy Messerschmitt Bf 110s from Germany or Potez 63s from France These attempts failed however and in 1938 approval was given for EKW to complete detailed design of the C 36 and to build a prototype 2 The first prototype the C 3601 carried out its maiden flight on 15 May 1939 It was a low winged cantilever monoplane of all metal construction It was powered by a single licence built Hispano Suiza 12Y engine driving a three bladed variable pitch propeller A crew of two sat in tandem under a long continuous canopy The aircraft was fitted with a twin tail and had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage 2 The C 3601 crashed on 20 August 1939 due to wing flutter but a second prototype the C 3602 which had a more powerful engine and a constant speed propeller flew on 30 November that year Testing was successful and orders were placed in 1940 for an initial batch of 10 C 3603 with a retractable undercarriage 3 Operational history editThe C 3603s along with EKW D 3801s fought off trespassing aircraft to defend Swiss neutrality but were soon relegated to training and target towing duties The last variant of the C 36 aircraft family the turboprop powered C 3605 had its maiden flight in 1968 remaining in service with the Swiss Air Force until 1988 Thanks to its Black and yellow striped colouration the C 3605 was called Flying Zebra Crossing 4 After retirement several aircraft were kept airworthy on the Civil aircraft register Variants editC 3601 First prototype with long span wings fixed undercarriage and powered by 641 kW 860 hp Hispano Suiza 12YCrs engine 2 C 3602 Second prototype powered by 746 kW 1 000 hp Hispano Suiza 12 Y 51 2 nbsp C 3603C 3603 Production version with retractable undercarriage powered by Hispano Suiza 12 Y 51 Armed by one 20mm Oerlikon moteur canon cannon firing through propeller hub two 7 5mm machine guns in the wings and two machine guns in the rear cockpit 5 C 3603 0 Service trial aircraft with long span 15 10 m 48 ft 6 in wings 10 built of which 9 were later converted to C 3603 1 standard 5 C 3603 1 Main production version with short span 13 74 m 45 ft 1 in wings 142 built by 1944 plus further 6 assembled from spare parts in 1947 48 5 20 converted to target tugs Schlepp from 1946 by Farner Werke and 40 including surviving original conversions to improved standard by FFA and Farner from 1953 54 6 dd C 3603 1 Tr Advanced trainer version Two built 7 dd nbsp The more heavily armed and powerful C 3604 in 1950C 3604 More powerful and heavier armed derivative of C 3603 powered by 929 kW 1 245 hp Saurer YS 2 a more powerful Swiss development of the Hispano Suiza 12Y 51 and carrying an extra two 20mm cannon in its wings One prototype and twelve production aircraft built 8 C 3605 Turboprop version with Lycoming T53 engine 24 converted from C 3603 1 9 It was much larger and also more powerful than the C 3601 with a maximum speed of 560km h or 296mph Operators edit nbsp SwitzerlandSwiss Air ForceSpecifications C 3603 edit nbsp EKW C 36 at Flieger Flab MuseumData from Enduring Tug The Swiss C 36 Series 9 General characteristicsCrew Two Length 10 23 m 33 ft 2 33 in Wingspan 13 74 m 45 ft 1 in Height 3 29 m 10 ft 9 5 in Wing area 28 4 m2 305 7 sq ft Empty weight 2 315 kg 5 103 lb Gross weight 4 085 kg 9 006 lb Powerplant 1 Hispano Suiza 12Y 51 V12 746 kW 1 000 hp Performance Maximum speed 476 km h 296 mph 257 kn Range 680 km 425 mi 369 nmi Endurance 2 hours Service ceiling 8 700 m 28 550 ft Rate of climb 10 4 m s 2 050 ft min Armament 1 20 mm cannon and 2 7 5 mm machine guns fixed forward firing 2 7 5 mm machine guns in rear cockpit 400 kg 880 lb bombsSee also editRelated development F W C 3605Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Ilyushin Il 2References edit Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 p 46 a b c d Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 p 47 Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 pp 47 48 C 36 The Swiss WWII Warbird Archived 2012 03 22 at the Wayback Machine a b c Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 p 48 Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 pp 50 52 Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 p 50 Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 pp 49 50 a b Gruenenfelder and Francillon 2001 p 53 Gruenenfelder Michael Francillon Rene J Enduring Tug The Swiss C 36 Series Air Enthusiast No 91 January February 2001 Stamford UK Key Publishing pp 44 55 ISSN 0143 5450 Taylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions pp 348 382 World Aircraft Information Files London Bright Star Publishing pp File 894 Sheet 01 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to EKW C 3603 Das Virtuelle Luftfahrtmuseum in German Aircraft Walkaround Dubendorf Museum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title EKW C 36 amp oldid 1160780448, 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