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The '''Kreutzer Air Coach''' is an [[ |
The '''Kreutzer Air Coach''' is an [[United States|American]]-built light [[trimotor]] transport aircraft of the late 1920s. |
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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin |
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin |
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| name=Kreutzer Air Coach |
| name=Kreutzer Air Coach |
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| image=Kreutzer K-5 Air Coach N612A Camarillo CA 04.10.90R edited-2.jpg |
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| image= |
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| caption=The sole surviving K-5 Air Coach at [[Camarillo Airport]], California, in 1990 |
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| caption= |
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}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |
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| type=light transport aircraft |
| type=light transport aircraft |
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| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
}} |
}} |
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|} |
|} |
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[[File:Kreutzer Air Coach K5.JPG|right|thumb|1929 Kreutzer Air Coach K-5 N612A preserved in the colours of Navajo Airways]] |
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==Design and development== |
==Design and development== |
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Joseph Kreutzer formed the company of the same name in [[Los Angeles]] in late 1928. In 1929 the firm moved to [[Clover Field]] [[Santa Monica]], occupying the former '''Bach''' aircraft factory. Kreutzer was joined by Lawrence Brown and Albin Peterson who had designed the Brown-Mercury C-2.<ref>Aerofiles</ref> |
Joseph Kreutzer formed the company of the same name in [[Los Angeles]] in late 1928. In 1929 the firm moved to [[Clover Field]], [[Santa Monica, California]], occupying the former '''Bach''' aircraft factory. Kreutzer was joined by Lawrence Brown and Albin Peterson who had designed the Brown-Mercury C-2.<ref name="Aerofiles">"[http://www.aerofiles.com/_k.html Data and information on the Air Coach series]", ''Aerofiles''. Retrieved 22 September 2010.</ref> |
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Kreutzer developed a series of small high-winged trimotor light transport aircraft, naming each the '''Air Coach'''. Each had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage with the two outboard engined slung from the supporting bracing struts to the high wing. The first model was the '''K-1''' Air Coach of late 1928 which was powered by three 65 |
Kreutzer developed a series of small high-winged trimotor light transport aircraft, naming each the '''Air Coach'''. Each had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage with the two outboard engined slung from the supporting bracing struts to the high wing. The first model was the '''K-1''' Air Coach of late 1928 which was powered by three {{convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Velie engines and accommodated four persons. The sole example ''NX71E'' first flew on 5 December 1928. It was later fitted with a single {{convert|330|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} J6-9 engine and a hopper for agricultural purposes. It crashed at [[Yuba City]] [[California]] in 1936.<ref name="Aerofiles"/> |
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The next Air Coach was the '''K-2''' of 1929 which had a similar wing span but was lengthened by five feet to permit six persons to be carried. The K-2 was fitted with one 90 |
The next Air Coach was the '''K-2''' of 1929 which had a similar wing span but was lengthened by five feet to permit six persons to be carried. The K-2 was fitted with one {{convert|90|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and two {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[LeBlond Aircraft Engine Corporation|LeBlond]] engines. Four examples were built. The '''K-3''' was similar to the K-2 but was fitted with three {{convert|90|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} LeBlond engines. Two were built and two earlier machines converted to this standard. The K-4 designation was not used.<ref name="Aerofiles"/> |
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The '''K-5''' Air Coach, also of 1929, had similar dimensions to the K-2 and K-3 but was fitted with three 100 |
The '''K-5''' Air Coach, also of 1929, had similar dimensions to the K-2 and K-3 but was fitted with three {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} five-cylinder [[Kinner K-5]] engines. The extra power enabled heavier loads to be carried and in addition to eight new-build aircraft, one earlier aircraft was converted to this standard.<ref name="Aerofiles"/> |
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Kreutzer's operations were suspended in 1931 and no further development was undertaken. The firm was reorganized as the '''Air Transport Manufacturing Co''' in 1935 and a '''T-6''' design was developed, but no production materialised.<ref |
Kreutzer's operations were suspended in 1931 and no further development was undertaken. The firm was reorganized as the '''Air Transport Manufacturing Co''' in 1935 and a '''T-6''' design was developed, but no production materialised.<ref name="Aerofiles"/> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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The Air Coach series of aircraft were used by small air transport operators in the United States and in [[Mexico]]. At least one was modified for agricultural aviation and others were latterly acquired by private owners. The design featured a heated and ventilated cabin and shatterproof glass glazing. |
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The sole survivor ''N612A'' was originally a K-2, but was upgraded to K-3 and then to K-5 standard. It was sold to Mexico in 1931 as ''XB-AHO'' and was flown by La Compania Aeronautica De La Sierra on routes from [[Parral, Chihuahua|Parral]] to local silver and other mining operations in inaccessible territory. It carried equipment and personnel to the mines and valuable ores on the return journey. It was sold in 1939 for operations from [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]]. After becoming derelict, it was recovered using pack animals and is now maintained airworthy by the private Golden Wings Air Museum near [[Minneapolis]] [[Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ogden|first=Bob|title=Aviation Museums and Collections of North America|year=2007|publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd|isbn=978-0-85130-385-7}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/Aircraft%20Pages/Kreutzer.htm Kreuzer aircraft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924083255/http://goldenwingsmuseum.com/Aircraft%20Pages/Kreutzer.htm |date=2010-09-24 }}", Golden Wings Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2010.</ref> |
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==Variants== |
==Variants== |
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; K-1 : 3 x {{convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Velie M-5 engines Span 48' 6", length 28' 6" (1 built) |
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; K-2 : 1 x {{convert|90|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and 2 x {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} LeBlond engines. Span 48' 10", length 33' 6" (4 built) |
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; K-3 : 3 x {{convert|90|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} LeBlond TD engines. Dimensions as K-2 (2 built and 2 conversions) |
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; K-4 : designation not used |
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; K-5 : 3 x {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} five cylinder Kinner K5 engines (8 built) |
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; T-6 : 3 x {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} five cylinder Kinner K5 engines |
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;Air Transport T-6: Revived in 1935 by the General-Western Aero Corp Ltd. and Air Transport Mfg Co. |
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==Operators== |
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* Navajo Airways, Arizona, USA; |
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==Operators using the Air Coach Series== |
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* Wedell-Williams Air Service, Louisiana, USA |
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==Specifications (K-5)== |
==Specifications (K-5)== |
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{{Aircraft specs |
{{Aircraft specs |
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|ref=<!-- for giving the reference for the data --> |
|ref=<ref>"[http://www.antiqueairfield.com/features/kreutzer.html The Kreutzer "Air Coach"]", ''Antique Airfield''. Retrieved 22 September 2010.</ref> <!-- for giving the reference for the data --> |
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|prime units?=<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> |
|prime units?=imp <!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
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General characteristics |
General characteristics |
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| Line 54: | Line 65: | ||
|genhide= |
|genhide= |
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|crew= |
|crew=2 |
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|capacity= |
|capacity=4 passengers or freight |
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|length m= |
|length m= |
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|length ft= |
|length ft=33 |
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|length in= |
|length in=6 |
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|length note= |
|length note= |
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|span m= |
|span m= |
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|span ft= |
|span ft=48 |
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|span in= |
|span in=10 |
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|span note= |
|span note= |
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|upper span m= |
|upper span m= |
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| Line 89: | Line 100: | ||
|width note= |
|width note= |
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|height m= |
|height m= |
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|height ft= |
|height ft=8 |
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|height in= |
|height in=6 |
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|height note= |
|height note= |
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|wing area sqm= |
|wing area sqm= |
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|wing area sqft= |
|wing area sqft=315 |
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|wing area note= |
|wing area note= |
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|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings --> |
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| Line 104: | Line 115: | ||
|airfoil= |
|airfoil= |
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|empty weight kg= |
|empty weight kg= |
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|empty weight lb= |
|empty weight lb=2745 |
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|empty weight note= |
|empty weight note= |
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|gross weight kg= |
|gross weight kg= |
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| Line 110: | Line 121: | ||
|gross weight note= |
|gross weight note= |
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|max takeoff weight kg= |
|max takeoff weight kg= |
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|max takeoff weight lb= |
|max takeoff weight lb=4433 |
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|max takeoff weight note= |
|max takeoff weight note= |
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|fuel capacity= |
|fuel capacity= |
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| Line 120: | Line 131: | ||
Powerplant |
Powerplant |
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--> |
--> |
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|eng1 number= |
|eng1 number=3 |
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|eng1 name= |
|eng1 name=100 h.p. five-cylinder Kinner K5 |
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|eng1 type= |
|eng1 type=piston |
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|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 hp=100<!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng1 note= |
|eng1 note= |
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|power original= |
|power original=3 55hp engines |
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|thrust original= |
|thrust original= |
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|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |
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| Line 176: | Line 187: | ||
|max speed kmh= |
|max speed kmh= |
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|max speed mph= |
|max speed mph=130 |
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|max speed kts= |
|max speed kts= |
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|max speed note= |
|max speed note= |
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|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> |
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> |
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|cruise speed kmh= |
|cruise speed kmh= |
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|cruise speed mph= |
|cruise speed mph=110 |
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|cruise speed kts= |
|cruise speed kts= |
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|cruise speed note= |
|cruise speed note= |
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|stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic --> |
|stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic --> |
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|stall speed mph=<!-- aerobatic --> |
|stall speed mph=45 <!-- aerobatic --> |
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|stall speed kts= |
|stall speed kts= |
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|stall speed note= |
|stall speed note= |
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| Line 197: | Line 208: | ||
|minimum control speed note= |
|minimum control speed note= |
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|range km= |
|range km= |
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|range miles= |
|range miles=520 |
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|range nmi= |
|range nmi= |
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|range note= |
|range note= |
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| Line 210: | Line 221: | ||
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |
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|ceiling m= |
|ceiling m= |
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|ceiling ft= |
|ceiling ft=17000 |
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|ceiling note= |
|ceiling note= |
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|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |
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| Line 216: | Line 227: | ||
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
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|climb rate ms= |
|climb rate ms= |
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|climb rate ftmin= |
|climb rate ftmin=950 |
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|climb rate note= |
|climb rate note= |
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|time to altitude= |
|time to altitude= |
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| Line 223: | Line 234: | ||
|sink rate note= |
|sink rate note= |
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|lift to drag= |
|lift to drag= |
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|wing loading kg/m2 |
|wing loading kg/m2= |
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|wing loading lb/sqft= |
|wing loading lb/sqft= |
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|wing loading note= |
|wing loading note= |
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| Line 241: | Line 252: | ||
|bombs= |
|bombs= |
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|rockets= |
|rockets= |
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|missiles= |
|missiles= |
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|hardpoints= |
|hardpoints= |
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| Line 250: | Line 261: | ||
|hardpoint other= |
|hardpoint other= |
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|other armament= |
|other armament= |
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|avionics= |
|avionics= |
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}} |
}} |
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==See also== |
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{{aircontent |
{{aircontent |
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<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |
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|see also= |
|see also= |
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|related=<!-- related developments --> |
|related=<!-- related developments --> |
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|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft --> |
|similar aircraft= |
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*[[Navarro Chief]]<!-- similar or comparable aircraft --> |
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|lists=<!-- related lists --> |
|lists=<!-- related lists --> |
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}} |
}} |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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{{commons category|Kreutzer Air Coach}} |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{refbegin}} |
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<!-- insert the reference sources here --> |
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{{refend}} |
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<!-- ==Further reading== --> |
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<!-- ==External links== --> |
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<!-- Navboxes go here --> |
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{{Aviation lists}} |
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[[Category:United States civil utility aircraft |
[[Category:1920s United States civil utility aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Trimotors]] |
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[[Category:High-wing aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Kreutzer aircraft|Air Coach]] |
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[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1928]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:24, 5 August 2021
The Kreutzer Air Coach is an American-built light trimotor transport aircraft of the late 1920s.
| Kreutzer Air Coach | |
|---|---|
| |
| The sole surviving K-5 Air Coach at Camarillo Airport, California, in 1990 | |
| Role | light transport aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Joseph Kreutzer Corporation |
| Designer | Lawrence Brown & Albin Peterson |
| First flight | 5 December 1928 |
| Introduction | 1929 |
| Status | one surviving airworthy example |
| Primary user | small air transport operators |
| Produced | 1928-1929 |
| Number built | 15 |
| Developed from | Brown-Mercury C-2 |
Design and development
[edit]Joseph Kreutzer formed the company of the same name in Los Angeles in late 1928. In 1929 the firm moved to Clover Field, Santa Monica, California, occupying the former Bach aircraft factory. Kreutzer was joined by Lawrence Brown and Albin Peterson who had designed the Brown-Mercury C-2.[1]
Kreutzer developed a series of small high-winged trimotor light transport aircraft, naming each the Air Coach. Each had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage with the two outboard engined slung from the supporting bracing struts to the high wing. The first model was the K-1 Air Coach of late 1928 which was powered by three 65 hp (48 kW) Velie engines and accommodated four persons. The sole example NX71E first flew on 5 December 1928. It was later fitted with a single 330 hp (246 kW) J6-9 engine and a hopper for agricultural purposes. It crashed at Yuba City California in 1936.[1]
The next Air Coach was the K-2 of 1929 which had a similar wing span but was lengthened by five feet to permit six persons to be carried. The K-2 was fitted with one 90 hp (67 kW) and two 60 hp (45 kW) LeBlond engines. Four examples were built. The K-3 was similar to the K-2 but was fitted with three 90 hp (67 kW) LeBlond engines. Two were built and two earlier machines converted to this standard. The K-4 designation was not used.[1]
The K-5 Air Coach, also of 1929, had similar dimensions to the K-2 and K-3 but was fitted with three 100 hp (75 kW) five-cylinder Kinner K-5 engines. The extra power enabled heavier loads to be carried and in addition to eight new-build aircraft, one earlier aircraft was converted to this standard.[1]
Kreutzer's operations were suspended in 1931 and no further development was undertaken. The firm was reorganized as the Air Transport Manufacturing Co in 1935 and a T-6 design was developed, but no production materialised.[1]
Operational history
[edit]The Air Coach series of aircraft were used by small air transport operators in the United States and in Mexico. At least one was modified for agricultural aviation and others were latterly acquired by private owners. The design featured a heated and ventilated cabin and shatterproof glass glazing.
The sole survivor N612A was originally a K-2, but was upgraded to K-3 and then to K-5 standard. It was sold to Mexico in 1931 as XB-AHO and was flown by La Compania Aeronautica De La Sierra on routes from Parral to local silver and other mining operations in inaccessible territory. It carried equipment and personnel to the mines and valuable ores on the return journey. It was sold in 1939 for operations from Chihuahua. After becoming derelict, it was recovered using pack animals and is now maintained airworthy by the private Golden Wings Air Museum near Minneapolis Minnesota.[2][3]
Variants
[edit]- K-1
- 3 x 65 hp (48 kW) Velie M-5 engines Span 48' 6", length 28' 6" (1 built)
- K-2
- 1 x 90 hp (67 kW) and 2 x 60 hp (45 kW) LeBlond engines. Span 48' 10", length 33' 6" (4 built)
- K-3
- 3 x 90 hp (67 kW) LeBlond TD engines. Dimensions as K-2 (2 built and 2 conversions)
- K-4
- designation not used
- K-5
- 3 x 100 hp (75 kW) five cylinder Kinner K5 engines (8 built)
- T-6
- 3 x 100 hp (75 kW) five cylinder Kinner K5 engines
- Air Transport T-6
- Revived in 1935 by the General-Western Aero Corp Ltd. and Air Transport Mfg Co.
Operators
[edit]- Navajo Airways, Arizona, USA;
- Wedell-Williams Air Service, Louisiana, USA
Specifications (K-5)
[edit]Data from [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 4 passengers or freight
- Length: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
- Wingspan: 48 ft 10 in (14.88 m)
- Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
- Wing area: 315 sq ft (29.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,745 lb (1,245 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,433 lb (2,011 kg)
- Powerplant: 3 × 100 h.p. five-cylinder Kinner K5 piston, 100 hp (75 kW) 3 55hp engines each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
- Cruise speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
- Stall speed: 45 mph (72 km/h, 39 kn)
- Range: 520 mi (840 km, 450 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Notes
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kreutzer Air Coach.
- ^ a b c d e "Data and information on the Air Coach series", Aerofiles. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
- ^ Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-385-7.
- ^ "Kreuzer aircraft Archived 2010-09-24 at the Wayback Machine", Golden Wings Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
- ^ "The Kreutzer "Air Coach"", Antique Airfield. Retrieved 22 September 2010.