Fuji KM-2

KM-2

Role: Primary trainer
Manufacturer: Fuji
First flight: 16 January 1962
Introduced: 1962
Primary users: Japan Air SDF Japan Maritime SDF Japan Ground SDF
Number built: 64
Developed from: Beech T-34
Variants: Fuji T-3 Fuji T-5 Fuji T-7

The Fuji KM-2 is a Japanese 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

Design and development

Fuji Heavy Industries was established in July 1952 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 .

Operators

Japan

Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Specifications (KM-2)

Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide

General characteristics

Crew: 2: student, instructor
Length: 26 ft 4 in (8 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10 m)
Height: 9 ft 11 in (3 m)
Empty weight: 2,469 lb (1,120 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 3,329 lb (1,510 kg)
Powerplant: 1x— Lycoming IGSO-480-A1A6 piston engine, 340 hp (254 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 234 mph (377 km/h)
Range: 520 nm (965 km)

Related development

Beech T-34
Fuji T-3
Fuji T-5
Fuji T-7

Fuji KM-2 Pictures

More aircraft.

Source: WikiPedia