Fukuda Hikari Research-2 Motor Glider

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 Glider
Role Motor-glider
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Fukuda Light Aeroplane Manufacturing Works
Designer Keicho Yo
First flight 5 August 1941
Number built 1

Design and development

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]

Its faired landing legs were kept short by wing root stubs with anhedral, producing a mild, inverted gull wing.[1]

Operational history

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.

Specifications

Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 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 wooden

Performance

  • 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
  1. Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 1 55750 563 2.
  2. Lumsden, Alec (1994). British Piston Aero-engines and their Aircraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 226. ISBN 1 85310294 6.
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