The Fukuda Hikari Research-2 Motor Glider was a Japanese civil design which first flew in August 1941. Its gliding performance was encouraging but its development ended as Japan entered World War II in December 1941.
In 1940 Fukuda received a request from the Aviation Board of Japan for a motor glider. The Fukuda Hikari Research-2 was completed in July 1941 and was only the second Japanese motor glider, following the Nippon Hachi Motor Glider.[1]
The Resesrch-2 had a wooden structure throughout and was fabric covered. It was a conventional low wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage, distinguished by its higher than average (13.75) aspect ratio wing, which was tetrahedral in plan with slightly blunted tips. Like may gliders, the Research-2's wing was equipped with spoilers.[1]
It was powered by an aero-engine developed in the U.K. by Flying Squirrel, better known for their motorcycles, an air-cooled, inverted, twin cylinder inline two-stroke with an output of 16–28 hp (12–21 kW).[1][2] Behind the engine the fuselage was rounded in section. The Research-2 was flown from an enclosed cockpit over the wing leading edge; the top of the cockpit glazing merged, unbroken, into the upper fuselage. The tail was also conventional, though the fuselage-mounted horizontal surfaces were well forward of the vertical tail, which had a tall but narrow fin and large unbalanced rudder.[1]
The Research-2 was first flown on 5 August 1941. The pilot was Isamu Oda, an experienced flyer of both powered and unpowered aircraft. Subsequent tests showed better than calculated performance[1] but later in the year Japan's involvement in the Second Sino-Japanese War broadened into the Pacific War, and civilian aircraft development ended.
Maximum glide ratio: 18.6, at 70.9 km/h (44.1 mph; 38.3 kn)
Time to altitude: 10.5 min to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
Absolute ceiling: 3,100 m (10,200 ft)
Rate of sink: 1.03 m/s (203 ft/min) minimum, at 67.6 km/h (42.0 mph; 36.5 kn)
References
^ abcdefgMikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Publishing. p. 83. ISBN1 55750 563 2.
^ abLumsden, Alec (1994). British Piston Aero-engines and their Aircraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 226. ISBN1 85310294 6.
August 21, 2023
fukuda, hikari, research, motor, glider, japanese, civil, design, which, first, flew, august, 1941, gliding, performance, encouraging, development, ended, japan, entered, world, december, 1941, research, motor, gliderrole, motor, glidernational, origin, japanm. The Fukuda Hikari Research 2 Motor Glider was a Japanese civil design which first flew in August 1941 Its gliding performance was encouraging but its development ended as Japan entered World War II in December 1941 Research 2 Motor GliderRole Motor gliderNational origin JapanManufacturer Fukuda Light Aeroplane Manufacturing WorksDesigner Keicho YoFirst flight 5 August 1941Number built 1 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Specifications 4 ReferencesDesign and development EditIn 1940 Fukuda received a request from the Aviation Board of Japan for a motor glider The Fukuda Hikari Research 2 was completed in July 1941 and was only the second Japanese motor glider following the Nippon Hachi Motor Glider 1 The Resesrch 2 had a wooden structure throughout and was fabric covered It was a conventional low wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage distinguished by its higher than average 13 75 aspect ratio wing which was tetrahedral in plan with slightly blunted tips Like may gliders the Research 2 s wing was equipped with spoilers 1 It was powered by an aero engine developed in the U K by Flying Squirrel better known for their motorcycles an air cooled inverted twin cylinder inline two stroke with an output of 16 28 hp 12 21 kW 1 2 Behind the engine the fuselage was rounded in section The Research 2 was flown from an enclosed cockpit over the wing leading edge the top of the cockpit glazing merged unbroken into the upper fuselage The tail was also conventional though the fuselage mounted horizontal surfaces were well forward of the vertical tail which had a tall but narrow fin and large unbalanced rudder 1 Its faired landing legs were kept short by wing root stubs with anhedral producing a mild inverted gull wing 1 Operational history EditThe Research 2 was first flown on 5 August 1941 The pilot was Isamu Oda an experienced flyer of both powered and unpowered aircraft Subsequent tests showed better than calculated performance 1 but later in the year Japan s involvement in the Second Sino Japanese War broadened into the Pacific War and civilian aircraft development ended Specifications EditData from Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 1 General characteristicsCrew one Length 6 95 m 22 ft 10 in Wingspan 13 m 42 ft 8 in Height 1 70 m 5 ft 7 in Wing area 12 3 m2 132 sq ft Aspect ratio 13 75 Empty weight 210 kg 463 lb Gross weight 300 kg 661 lb Powerplant 1 Scott Flying Squirrel air cooled two cylinder inverted in line two stroke 12 21 kW 16 28 hp 2 Propellers 2 bladed woodenPerformance Maximum speed 126 km h 78 mph 68 kn Cruise speed 89 km h 55 mph 48 kn Landing speed 61 km h 38 mph 33 kn Maximum glide ratio 18 6 at 70 9 km h 44 1 mph 38 3 kn Time to altitude 10 5 min to 1 000 m 3 300 ft Absolute ceiling 3 100 m 10 200 ft Rate of sink 1 03 m s 203 ft min minimum at 67 6 km h 42 0 mph 36 5 kn References Edit a b c d e f g Mikesh Robert C Abe Shorzoe 1990 Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 London Putnam Publishing p 83 ISBN 1 55750 563 2 a b Lumsden Alec 1994 British Piston Aero engines and their Aircraft Shrewsbury Airlife p 226 ISBN 1 85310294 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fukuda Hikari Research 2 Motor Glider amp oldid 1114160750, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
