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.
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]
^ abcdeMikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Publishing. p. 257. ISBN1-55750-563-2.
April 12, 2024
tokyo, imperial, university, small, single, engined, light, civil, aircraft, designed, students, tokyo, imperial, university, year, project, sole, example, first, flew, december, 1939, role, light, civil, aircraftnational, origin, japanmanufacturer, nihon, kok. 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 2Role light civil aircraftNational origin JapanManufacturer Nihon Koku Kogyo KKDesigner Prof Hidemasa Kimura student supervisor First flight 18 December 1939Number built 1Design and development editThe 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 editData from Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 2 General characteristicsCrew 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 woodenPerformance 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 levelReferences edit Simons Martin 2006 Sailplanes 1920 1945 2nd revised ed Konigswinter EQIP Werbung amp 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tokyo Imperial University LB 2 amp oldid 1102131552, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
