Fuji LM-1 Nikko

The Fuji LM-1 Nikko is a Japanese light communications aircraft of the 1950s.

Development

Fuji Heavy Industries built 176 Beech T-34 Mentor two-seat training aircraft under licence in the early 1950s. Fuji then redesigned the basic Mentor as a four-seat communications aircraft under the designation LM-1. A new lengthened centre fuselage was added to the Mentor's wing, undercarriage, and tail assembly. 27 LM-1s were produced during 1955-1956.

Operational history

The LM-1s were delivered to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and were used for communications and general duties. After withdrawal from operation, several LM-1s were sold on the U.S. civil market and are flown by civil pilots as "warbirds".

Variants

;LM-1: four-seat communications aircraft with 225 h.p. Continental engine
;LM-2: higher-powered version with 340 h.p. Lycoming engine
;RTAF-2: a variant developed in Thailand by Thai Aviation Industry.
;LM-11 Supernikko: A proposed more powerful version of the LM-1 powered by a Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 engine; became the LM-2.