Lohner L
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.
Development
The design was essentially more powerful version of the Lohner E, and proved to be highly influential. Apart from licenced production by UFAG, 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.
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[1].
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
- Austria-Hungary
- German Empire
- Italy
- Kingdom of Yugoslavia
- Yugoslav Royal Navy 4 aircrafts Lohner TL
Specifications (Lohner L)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
- Length: 10.26 m (33 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 16.20 m (53 ft 2 in)
- Height: 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 53.0 m2 (570 ft2)
- Empty weight: 1,150 kg (2,535 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,700 kg (3,750 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Austro-Daimler, 120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)
- Range: 600 km (375 miles)
- Service ceiling: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Armament
- 1 × trainable machine gun for observer
- 200 kg (441 lb) of bombs
Notes
- ^ * Јанић, Чедомир (2003) (in (Serbian)). Век авијације - [илустрована хронологија]. Беочин: Ефект 1. COBISS 110428172.
References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 611.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 900 Sheet 20.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. pp. 2392.
- Јанић, Чедомир (2003) (in (Serbian)). Век авијације - [илустрована хронологија]. Беочин: Ефект 1. COBISS 110428172.
- Italian Air Force Museum page on Lohner L
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