Lohner L
Encyclopedia
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The Lohner L was a reconnaissance
flying boat
produced in Austria-Hungary during World War I
. It was a two-bay sesquiplane
of typical configuration for the flying boats of the day, with its engine mounted pusher
-wise on struts in the interplane gap. The pilot and observer sat side-by-side in an open cockpit
, and both upper and lower sets of wings featured sweepback
.
, the L provided the basis for designs from other major manufacturers. In Germany
, Hansa-Brandenburg
manufactured a modified version of it as their first flying boat, the FB, and in Italy, a captured example was used as a pattern aircraft by Macchi, who produced it as the L.1. In turn, the L.1 would provide the foundation for a large number of Macchi designs over the coming years.
The captured aircraft (serial L.40) was taken intact near the naval air station of Porto Corsini. The captured flying-boat was copied by Macchi-Nieuport and the L.1 was built within a month. The L.1s were delivered to Italian maritime reconnaissance and bombing units based on the Adriatic. An improved version was developed as the Macchi L.2
A restored example of an Austro-Hungarian Lohner L (serial L.127) is preserved at the Italian Air Force Museum
at Vigna di Valle.
German Empire
Italy
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Lohner L was a reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
produced in Austria-Hungary during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was a two-bay sesquiplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
of typical configuration for the flying boats of the day, with its engine mounted pusher
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
-wise on struts in the interplane gap. The pilot and observer sat side-by-side in an open cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
, and both upper and lower sets of wings featured sweepback
Swept wing
A swept wing is a wing planform favored for high subsonic jet speeds first investigated by Germany during the Second World War. Since the introduction of the MiG-15 and North American F-86 which demonstrated a decisive superiority over the slower first generation of straight-wing jet fighters...
.
Development
The design was essentially more powerful version of the Lohner E, and proved to be highly influential. Apart from licenced production by UFAGUfag
Ungarische Flugzeugfabrik A.G., commonly known as Ufag, was an aircraft manufacturer formed by Freiherr Karl von Škoda in Budapest during World War I. It built Lohner aircraft under licence....
, the L provided the basis for designs from other major manufacturers. In Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Hansa-Brandenburg
Hansa-Brandenburg
Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturing company that operated during World War I. It was created in May 1914 by the purchase of Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke by Camillo Castiglioni, who relocated the factory from Libau to Brandenburg am Havel...
manufactured a modified version of it as their first flying boat, the FB, and in Italy, a captured example was used as a pattern aircraft by Macchi, who produced it as the L.1. In turn, the L.1 would provide the foundation for a large number of Macchi designs over the coming years.
The captured aircraft (serial L.40) was taken intact near the naval air station of Porto Corsini. The captured flying-boat was copied by Macchi-Nieuport and the L.1 was built within a month. The L.1s were delivered to Italian maritime reconnaissance and bombing units based on the Adriatic. An improved version was developed as the Macchi L.2
A restored example of an Austro-Hungarian Lohner L (serial L.127) is preserved at the Italian Air Force Museum
Italian Air Force Museum
The Italian Air Force Museum is an aircraft museum at Vigna di Valle, on the Lake Bracciano , central Italy. It is operated by the Aeronautica Militare.- Propeller aircraft :* Ansaldo AC.2* Ansaldo SVA 5* Blériot XI* Caproni Ca.3* Caproni Ca.100...
at Vigna di Valle.
Operational history
Loner seaplane been extensively used to before the First World War and during his lifetime, and those planes that were overtaken after the war served for several years. For this plane are related to some important and interesting events such as:- Immediately after the declaration of war on Austria-Hungary to Serbia and Montenegro 28.07.1914. year for 2.08.1914. Loner L seaplane base Kumbor patrolling and photographed Montenegrin artillery positions which represented the first use of aircraft in World War I.
- During the war on 09/16/1916. The crew Loner L 132 driven by a Lieutenant Commander Dimitrije Konjović and Loner L 135 driven by Walter Železni officer, on regular reconnaissance missions near the Kotor found French submarine "Franco" is attacked by bombs. The submarine was in the attack had been damaged by her crew had to leave. Loner plane landed at Sea captured two French officers and transported to the base of Kumbor and the other members of the crew saved the Austro-Hungarian torpedo boat. This was the first sinking of a submarine from the air in the history of aviation.
Variants
- Lohner L
- Lohner R - Photo-reconnaissance version
- Lohner S - Trainer version
- Hansa-Brandenburg FB
- Macchi L.1 - with Fiat machine gun and Isotta-Fraschini V.4A engine (14 built)
Operators
- Austro-Hungarian NavyAustro-Hungarian NavyThe Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine , abbreviated as k.u.k. Kriegsmarine....
German Empire
- Imperial German Navy
Italy
- Italian NavyItalian NavyItalian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic...
(Macchi L.1)
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
- Yugoslav Royal Navy 4 aircrafts Lohner TL