User:TSRL/sandbox/Laird Whirlwind

Laird LC-B
The Laird, after conversion to a sprayer in 1952. Extensive modifications were made to the rudder, fin, and cockpits, and a Lycoming R-680 had been installed in place of the Whirlwind engine.
Role	Three seat civil biplane
National origin	U.S.
Manufacturer	E.M. Laird Airplane Co.
First flight	1925
Number built	more than 20

The Laird LC-B was a three seat, single-engined civil biplane, designed and built in the U.S. in 1924.

Design and development

The prototype LC-B first flew in 1925 and was, via the 1924 Commercial, the successor to the Laird Swallow, E. Matthew Laird's quite successful own design. All seven variants are similar, differing chiefly in the choice of radial engine. They are unequal span, single bay biplanes with little stagger. Near parallel pairs of interplane struts brace upper and lower wings together and the upper centre section is supported over the fuselage on outward-leaning N-struts. The wings have wooden structures and are fabric covered. There are externally connected ailerons on both upper and lower wings, though they are shorter on the shorter span lower wing.

The fuselage has a dural tube structure and is fabric-covered. There are two open cockpits, with the pilot just behind the lower trailing edge. A cut-out in the upper trailing edge improves the upward field of view. Two passengers sit immediately ahead of the pilot, side by side under the wing. Tail surfaces are also fabric-covered and, with the exception of the wooden-framed tailplane, have steel structures. All the rear surfaces are full and rounded, apart from the tailplane's straight leading edge.

The LC-Bs have fixed, split axle, conventional landing gear. The main legs, with rubber cord shock absorbers, and drag struts are mounted on the lower fuselage longerons. Wheel brakes were fitted on LC-B2/300 variants at least. The axles join on a short frame just below the fuselage underside. A long tailskid extends from the extreme fuselage.

The first LC-B was flown in 1925. The 11 examples of the LC-B which followed it were powered by 200–450 hp (150–340 kW)Wright Whirlwind series radials.

The 1930-1 production models were designated LC-B200, with a 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5, and LCB-300 with a 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-6. Three B200s and one 1B200 (the prefix 1 generally indicating special or de-luxe) but also an unknown number registered in Canada. Less than six B300s were built, including one de-luxe model with a NACA wide chord engine cowling.

Operational history

An LC-B set a record in 1928 with 1073 sequential inside loops, but otherwise little is known of the aircrafts' histories.

Variants

Data from aerofiles:Laird

LC-B

LC-1B

LC-B200

LC-1B200

LC-1B285

LC-B300

LC-1B300

Specifications (LC-B300)

Data from Aero Digest (April 1931)

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: two passengers
• Length: 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m)
• Upper wingspan: 34 ft (10 m)
• Lower wingspan: 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
• Wing area: 295 sq ft (27.4 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,930 lb (875 kg)
• Gross weight: 3,020 lb (1,370 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 76 US gal (63 imp gal; 290 L)
• Powerplant: 1 × Wright J-6 Whirlwind radial, 300 hp (220 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed Hamilton-Standard

Performance

• Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn)
• Cruise speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  
• Landing speed: 45 mph (72 km/h; 39 kn)
• Range: 550 mi (890 km, 480 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s)

References

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