Lawson L-2
1920s American biplane airliner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lawson L-2 was a 1920s American biplane airliner, designed and built by the Lawson Air Line Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
| L-2 | |
|---|---|
| Lawson C.2 or T-2 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Biplane airliner |
| Manufacturer | Lawson Air Line Company |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Lawson Air Line Company |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1920 |
Design and development
The Lawson Air Line Company designed and built a series of large biplane airliners for use on its planned airline routes. The initial Lawson "Aerial Transport" Lawson C1 or T-1 was built early in 1919 to demonstrate that a large commercial passenger plane could be built. The L-1 was a single pilot, 10 passenger biplane with twin Liberty 400 hp pusher engines. It was followed by the Lawson C.2 or L-2. The L-2 was a tractor biplane also with 400 hp engines, capable of carrying 26 passengers, and piloted by two pilots, with differential controls.[3]
Mr. Lawson took it on a 2000-mile multi-city tour to advocate commercial air travel.[4]
Some sources state Mr. Lawson himself as the sole designer; others mention involvement of Vincent Burnelli.[5]
Operators
Specifications (L-2)
General characteristics
- Capacity: 10
- Wingspan: 91 ft 0 in (27.74 m)
- Gross weight: 13,000 lb (5,897 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Liberty L-12 piston engine , 400 hp (298 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 mph (161 km/h, 87 kn)
