Fuji KM-2
The Fuji KM -2 is a product manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries propeller-driven two -to four- seat trainer and liaison aircraft, which was developed from the manufactured under license T -34.
History and Development
Fuji Heavy Industries was founded in July 1952 as the successor company to the former aircraft manufacturer, Nakajima Hikoki and manufactured the first product in the license Beech T-34 trainer aircraft for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
From this developed the four-seat liaison aircraft Fuji LM-1 Nikko, which was powered by a 225 hp Continental O -470 engine. With the introduction of the 340 hp Lycoming O- payable 480 engine was renamed Fuji LM -2. Both the LM -1 and LM -2 were used by the Japanese ground self-defense forces.
The KM - 2 was a four-seat civil version of the LM- 1, equipped with the more powerful Lycoming engine, which was later used by the LM -2. The KM was used by the Japanese government for civilian pilot training, from which the KM -2 was developed as a two-seat trainer with built-in side by side seats. 60 machines were purchased from the Marine Self-Defense Forces as a beginner trainer aircraft and two more of the ground self-defense forces as TL -1.
The KM -2B is a further development of the KM -2 for use as a training aircraft in the air self-defense forces. It combines the structure and engine of the KM - 2 with the tandem cockpit of the T- 34 Mentor and was referred to as Fuji T-3.