Georges Levy G.L. 40

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G.L. 40
Type amphibious aircraft
Manufacturer Georges Levy
Designed by Blanchard and Le Pen
Maiden flight 1917
Introduced September 1917
Primary users French Air Force
Finnish Air Force

Georges Levy G.L. 40 HB2 was a three-seated French, amphibious biplane that was designed in 1917. The aircraft was designed by Blanchard and Le Pen and therefore the aircraft was also known as the Levy-Le Pen. It was claimed to be the best French amphibious aircraft of World War I, but that is probably due to the low scale production of such aircraft in France at that time.

The Finnish Air Force purchased 12 Georges Levy G.L. 40 HB2s, but they weren't pleased with them. Three aircraft were lost in accidents that claimed lives - and it was given the nickname "the flying coffin" in the 1920s.

Contents

[edit] Operators

Flag of Finland Finland
12 aircraft
Flag of France France
Flag of Portugal Portugal

[edit] Specifications (G.L. 40 HB2)

Data from Thulinista Hornetiin

General characteristics

  • Crew: Three
  • Length: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 18.5 m (60 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 3.85 m (12 ft 7½ in)
  • Wing area: m² (ft²)
  • Empty weight: kg (lb)
  • Loaded weight: kg (lb)
  • Useful load: kg (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
  • Powerplant: 1× Renault V-engine, 224 kW (300 hp)

Performance

Armament

  • 1 × machine gun
  • 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs

[edit] Sources

  • Timo Heinonen (1992). Thulinista Hornetiin - 75 vuotta Suomen ilmavoimien lentokoneita. Tikkakoski: Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo. ISBN 9519568824. 

[edit] See also

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