Fuji KM-2
Encyclopedia
The Fuji KM-2 is a Japan
ese propeller-driven light aircraft, which was developed by Fuji Heavy Industries
from the Beech T-34
which Fuji built under licence. Various versions have been used as primary trainers by the Japan Self-Defense Forces
, with the KM-2B remaining in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
as a successor to Nakajima
, and undertook licenced production of the Beech T-34 trainer aircraft as its first product. This was used by Fuji for the development of the Fuji LM-1 Nikko
which was a four-seat liaison aircraft powered by a 225 hp Continental O-470
engine, with introduction of a more powerful 340 hp Lycoming O-480 engine resulting in redesignation as the LM-2, with both the LM-1 and LM-2 being used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
.
The KM was a four seat civil version of the LM-1, fitted with the more powerful Lycoming engine that was later used by the LM-2. After the KM was used by the Japanese government for civil pilot training, the KM-2 was developed as a side by side two seat trainer, first flying on 16 January 1962 . Sixty two were purchased by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
as primary trainers, with a further two purchased by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as the TL-1 .
The KM-2B was a further development of the KM-2 for use as a primary trainer for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It combined the structure and engine of the KM-2 with the tandem cockpit of the T-34 Mentor, first flying on 17 January 1978. Fifty were purchased by the JASDF as the Fuji T-3, production continuing until 1992 .
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese propeller-driven light aircraft, which was developed by Fuji Heavy Industries
Fuji Heavy Industries
, or FHI, is a Japanese transportation conglomerate most known for being the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles. It traces its roots to the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a leading supplier of airplanes to the Japanese government during World War II...
from the Beech T-34
T-34 Mentor
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
which Fuji built under licence. Various versions have been used as primary trainers by the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Japan Self-Defense Forces
The , or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan. For most of the post-war period the JSDF was confined to the islands of Japan and not permitted to be deployed...
, with the KM-2B remaining in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
Design and development
Fuji Heavy Industries was established in July 19521952 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1952:- Events :* The Royal Navy conducts the worlds first trials of an angled flight deck, aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Triumph. It had been invented by Royal Navy Captain Dennis R. F. Campbell,* The Royal Navy conducts the worlds first trials of a...
as a successor to Nakajima
Nakajima Aircraft Company
The Nakajima Aircraft Company was a prominent Japanese aircraft manufacturer throughout World War II.-History:...
, and undertook licenced production of the Beech T-34 trainer aircraft as its first product. This was used by Fuji for the development of the Fuji LM-1 Nikko
Fuji LM-1 Nikko
-References:NotesBibliography...
which was a four-seat liaison aircraft powered by a 225 hp Continental O-470
Continental O-470
The Continental O-470 engine is a family of carbureted six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. The family includes the E165, E185 and the E225 engines...
engine, with introduction of a more powerful 340 hp Lycoming O-480 engine resulting in redesignation as the LM-2, with both the LM-1 and LM-2 being used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
.
The KM was a four seat civil version of the LM-1, fitted with the more powerful Lycoming engine that was later used by the LM-2. After the KM was used by the Japanese government for civil pilot training, the KM-2 was developed as a side by side two seat trainer, first flying on 16 January 1962 . Sixty two were purchased by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
as primary trainers, with a further two purchased by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as the TL-1 .
The KM-2B was a further development of the KM-2 for use as a primary trainer for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It combined the structure and engine of the KM-2 with the tandem cockpit of the T-34 Mentor, first flying on 17 January 1978. Fifty were purchased by the JASDF as the Fuji T-3, production continuing until 1992 .
Operators
- Japan Air Self-Defense ForceJapan Air Self-Defense ForceThe , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceJapan Maritime Self-Defense ForceThe , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
- Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceThe , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...