The Tokyo Imperial University LB-2 was a small, single-engined light civil aircraft, designed by students of the Tokyo Imperial University as a two-year project. The sole example first flew in December 1939.
| Tokyo Imperial University LB-2 | |
|---|---|
| Role | light civil aircraft |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Nihon Koku Kogyo KK |
| Designer | Prof Hidemasa Kimura (student supervisor) |
| First flight | 18 December 1939 |
| Number built | 1 |
Design and development edit
The aeronautics divisions of German universities had a tradition of student design projects, often gliders.[1] In 1936 students at the Tokyo Imperial began a similar, two-year project, though for a small two seat powered aircraft. Their first design, the LB-1 (LB for light blue, the school colour), with side-by side seats was abandoned in favour of the LB-2 which had tandem seats.[2]
It was a conventional high wing aircraft, though with an unusually refined wing plan; the inner half was rectangular but the outer panels were pointedly elliptical. Like the rest of the aircraft the wing structure was wooden and its covering fabric. The LB-2 was powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) air-cooled, inverted, six cylinder Train 6C, a French engine which proved unreliable.[2]
Behind the engine the fuselage was flat sided, with an enclosed cabin under the wing. The tail was conventional with its tailplane on top of the fuselage and a triangular fin mounting a rounded rudder. Its conventional undercarriage was fixed, with rather small mainwheels.[2]
After the students' design work was finished most of the LB-2's construction was undertaken by Nihon Koku Kogyo KK, a Yokohama-based company. They completed it in December 1939 and the first flight was made by Shigejiro Takahashi from Haneda Airport on 18 December 1939. The project was judged a success, though the LB-2's flying time was severely limited by the wayward Train engine. Only one was built, as normal with student project aircraft.[2]
Specifications edit
Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 7.59 m (24 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
- Height: 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 16 m2 (170 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 264 kg (582 lb)
- Gross weight: 460 kg (1,014 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Train 6C-01 six cylinder, air-cooled, inverted inline, 45 kW (60 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden
Performance
- Maximum speed: 176 km/h (109 mph, 95 kn)
- Cruise speed: 144 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
- Range: 564 km (350 mi, 305 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 4,800 m (15,700 ft)
- Rate of climb: 2.9 m/s (570 ft/min) from sea level
References edit
- ^ Simons, Martin (2006). Sailplanes 1920-1945 (2nd revised ed.). Königswinter: EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH. ISBN 3-9806773-4-6.
- ^ a b c d e Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Publishing. p. 257. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.