Thomas-Morse MB-2

The Thomas-Morse MB-2 was an open-cockpit biplane fighter manufactured by Thomas-Morse Aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Service in 1918.

MB-2
Role	Fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Thomas-Morse Aircraft
Designer	B. Douglas Thomas
First flight	November 1918[1]
Number built	2

Development

The MB-2 was designed by B. Douglas Thomas at the same time he was building the MB-1. Powered by a Liberty 12 engine, the first of two two-seat biplanes flew in November 1918. The Army was unimpressed by the performance and did not order any for production.[1] Both prototypes were then scrapped, the second one incomplete.[2]

Specifications

Data from Angelucci, 1987. p. 420.[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 24 ft 0 in (7.31 m)
• Wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.44 m)
• Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.43 m)
• Wing area: 323 sq ft (30 m²)
• Empty weight: 2,047 lb (929 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,773 lb (1,258 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Liberty L-12 liquid-cooled piston engine , 400 hp (300 kW)

Performance

References

Notes

1. Angelucci, 1987. p. 420.
2. Wegg 1990, p.24.

Bibliography

• Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
• Wegg, John (1990). General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.