Lawson L-2

Last updated
L-2
Lawson T-2.jpg
Lawson C.2 or T-2
RoleBiplane airliner
Manufacturer Lawson Air Line Company
Designer Alfred Lawson, [1] Vincent Burnelli [2]
First flight 1920
Primary user Lawson Air Line Company
Number built1

The Lawson L-2 was a 1920s American biplane airliner, designed and built by the Lawson Air Line Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Contents

Design and development

Lawson Aerial Transport C.1 or L-1 Lawson C1 Plans -1919.jpg
Lawson Aerial Transport C.1 or L-1

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

Flag of the United States.svg  United States

Specifications (L-2)

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. "Welcome to EAA Chapter 838". Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  2. "Vincent J. Burnelli Dead at 69; an Early Designer of Airplanes". The New York Times. 23 June 1964.
  3. Air Progress: 16. November 1978.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. The Royal Aero Club of the UK (Sep 11, 1919). "The Lawson Aerial Transport". Flight- the Aircraft Engineer & Airship Weekly. 37. XI (559): 1220–1222.
  5. "Vincent J. Burnelli Dead at 69; an Early Designer of Airplanes". The New York Times. 23 June 1964.