Made in China from Yangcheng: The full spectrum of “Yangcheng” homemade aircraft from Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory

In 1920, under the advocacy of Sun Yat-sen, the Guangdong Aviation Administration under the Guangdong Revolutionary Government was established in Dashatou, Guangzhou. In 1922, a temporary aircraft repair shop was established on the site of a waste leather factory in the Dongshan area of ​​Dasatou. General Yang Xianyi, director of the Aviation Bureau of the Guangdong Revolutionary Government, made a special trip to the United States to raise funds to expand and improve the scale and level of this repair shop. Finally, the Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory was formally established in 1923. Lu Weifu was appointed as the first factory director. , And successfully made the first airplane that year.

In 1927, Menongan, a dirty engineer who returned from studying abroad, took over as the second director of the Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory. Because of the relatively abundant funds at this time, Menongan began to ambitiously using the spare parts and equipment in the factory. SINOMACH National Manufacturing Plan for "Yangcheng" series of self-built aircraft.

From the production of the first "Yangcheng 51" trainer of the "Yangcheng" series in 1928 to the last "Yangcheng 108" reconnaissance/bomber of the "Yangcheng" series in 1936, a total of them were manufactured. More than 60 "Yangcheng" series aircrafts have been built, forming a huge "Yangcheng" military aircraft family covering four categories: trainer, reconnaissance, bomber, and fighter. It has also become the first large family of domestically-produced aircraft in the history of Chinese aviation, which has a very positive and far-reaching significance.

Reconnaissance/training aircraft "Le Shiwen" of Guangdong Aviation Administration

The aircraft first flew in 1923 by Yang Xianyi, director of Guangdong Aviation Administration. Co-designed with American engineers. Except for the important parts such as engine, radiator, fuel tank, propeller, instrumentation, etc., which are stocked by the Aviation Administration, the rest are self-made.

The aircraft was built in June 1923, and it was successfully tested by Huang Guangrui (the company later became the commander of the Guangdong Air Force) in July of the same year. The instructor Harry Wayne Albert had a successful flight test), and the flight performance was good. Sun Yat-sen named the aircraft "Le Shiwen" according to the transliteration of Soong Ching Ling's English name. It is the first aircraft manufactured by the Guangdong Aviation Administration. The rear fuselage is painted with Arabic numerals 1 on both sides, so it is also known as the "Le Shiwen 1". Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching Ling took a group photo in front of the aircraft and was piloted by Huang Guangrui The aircraft carried Soong Ching Ling hovering over Guangzhou. The aircraft was then transferred to the flying team of the Guangdong Revolutionary Government, and in September of the same year participated in the Huizhou battle against Chen Jiongming. On October 3, 1923, Chen Jiongming sent people to infiltrate Dashatou Airport and set fire. The aircraft, three unbuilt aircraft and some facilities in the hangar were burned.

Song Qingling and Sun Yat-sen take a photo in front of Le Shiwen 1

Crew: 2 people

Length: 6.55m

Wingspan: 9.45m

Height: 2.75 meters

Empty weight: Unknown

Maximum take-off weight: 730 kg

Engine: One Curtis OXX-6 V-type 8-cylinder liquid-cooled piston engine, single 100 horsepower

Maximum flying speed: 120 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: Unknown

Service limit: Unknown

Weapon: No fixed weapon

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng" No. 51" and "Yangcheng 52" trainer

The first flight of this type in 1928 produced a total of 2 aircraft. The engine came from the crashed Curtis OX-5 trainer. The instruments and other equipment were also from Disassembled or refurbished on the crashed plane. "Yangcheng 51" was completed in December 1928, and the test flight was successful on December 29. It was named "Success" by the Guangdong Aviation Association and was hailed as "the first aircraft made in China." "Yangcheng 52" was completed in early 1929. After completion of the two aircraft, they were delivered to the Guangdong Air Force for training.

Crew: 3 people

Length: 7.32 meters

Wingspan: 9.75 meters

Height: 2.67 meters

Empty weight: 950 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1360 kg

Engine: a Curtis OX-5 V-type 8-cylinder liquid-cooled piston engine, Single 90 horsepower

Maximum flight speed: 128 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: Unknown

Service ceiling: Unknown

Weapon: No

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng 53" trainer

The first flight in 1929 was developed on the basis of "Yangcheng 51" and "Yangcheng 52", November 8, 1929 Daily made. The structure of the aircraft is strengthened, and the appearance is very similar to that of the WACKER 9 trainer. Due to the installation of a more powerful engine, the flight performance has been greatly improved compared to the WACKER 9, and it has been praised by the Guangdong Air Force. The Guangdong Air Force received the aircraft for use. training.

Yangcheng No. 53 aircraft

Crew: 2 people

Length: 7.5 meters

Wingspan: 9.82 meters

Height: 2.71 meters

Empty weight: 454 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1089 kg

Engine: A Hispano Susha V-type 8-cylinder liquid-cooled piston engine, a single unit of 180 horsepower

Maximum Flight Speed: Unknown

Maximum Range: Unknown

Service Limit: Unknown

Weapon: No

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng 54" and "Yangcheng 55" trainer

A total of two of the aircraft that flew for the first time in 1930 were built. The engine was derived from the damaged "WACKER ATO" trainer, and the "Yangcheng 54" was completed. The time is unknown. The "Yangcheng 55" was completed on June 10, 1930. After the completion of the two aircraft, they were incorporated into the third squadron of the Guangdong Air Force. They were once used for reconnaissance of the Red Army of Workers and Peasants in southwestern Jiangxi.

Crew: 2 people

Length: 8.3 meters

Wingspan: 10.98 meters

Height: 3.1 meters

Empty weight: 794 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1497 kg

Engine: A Wright J-5 "Tornado" star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, a single unit with 220 horsepower

Maximum flight speed: 201 kilometers per hour

Maximum range : Unknown

Service ceiling: 6096 meters

Weapon: No

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng 56", "Yangcheng 57" reconnaissance/bomber

A total of two of this type of aircraft that first flew in 1930 were developed based on the "Yangcheng 54" and "Yangcheng 55", with the same appearance as the "Yangcheng" 54" and "Yangcheng 55" are quite similar. "Yangcheng 56" is equipped with the WACKER ATO machine that was dismantled from the crash, and "Yangcheng 57" uses Pratt Whitney's "Wasp" engine. The "Yangcheng 56" was built on August 30, 1930, and the "Yangcheng 57" was built on September 22, named "Nanxiong". The test flight was conducted by Ding Jixu and Tan Shou. The test flight found its supply The oil system and maneuverability were poor. After the two aircraft were made, they were incorporated into the third squadron of the Guangdong Air Force. They were once used for reconnaissance of the Red Army of Workers and Peasants in southwestern Jiangxi.

MultiplyCrew: 2 people

Length: 8.3 meters

Wingspan: 9.82 meters

Height: 3.1 meters

Empty weight: unknown

Maximum take-off weight: 1497 kg

Engine: A Wright J-5 "Tornado" star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, a single 220 horsepower ("Yangcheng 56") / a Pratt Whitney "Wasp" star 9-cylinder Air-cooled piston engine, single unit with 200 horsepower ("Yangcheng 57")

Maximum flight speed: 225 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: Unknown

Service ceiling: Unknown

Weapon: A 7.7mm Lewis back seat movable machine gun, four 22.5kg bombs

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng 58" and "Yangcheng 59" fighters

A total of two of this type of aircraft that flew for the first time in 1930 were manufactured. They were made in 1931 and were numbered "Yangcheng 58" and "Yangcheng 59" respectively. Because of their mediocre performance, they were incorporated into the Guangdong Air Force. It is mostly used as a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft.

Crew: 1 person

Length: 5.19 meters

Wingspan: 7.82 meters

Height: 2.15 meters

Empty weight: 827 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1120 kg

Engine: One Wright R-975-C "Tornado" star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, single 420 horsepower

Maximum flight speed : 230 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: 500 kilometers

Service limit: 6000 meters

Weapons: Two 7.62mm Browning machine guns

Guangdong Aircraft repair shops "Yangcheng No. 70", "Yangcheng No. 71", "Yangcheng No. 72" and "Yangcheng No. 73" trainer aircraft

The imitation prototype of the Yangcheng No. 70-73 "Aphrodite" The 616" aircraft

first flew in 1933. A total of four aircraft were manufactured. They were modeled from the "Aphrodite 616" trainer aircraft. The completion time and operating conditions are unknown.

Crew: 2 people

Length: 7.39 meters

Wingspan: 8.53 meters

Height: 2.59 meters

Empty weight: 456 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 691 kg

Engine: An ADC "Cirrus Athletic God I" in-line four-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, 105 horsepower per unit.

Maximum flight speed: 169 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: 579 kilometers

Service ceiling: 3800 meters

Weapons: Two 7.62 mm Browning nose fixed machine guns

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng Monoplane" reconnaissance/bomber

Only one aircraft of this type that first flew in 1933 was manufactured. The model is based on the "Douglas O-2MC" reconnaissance/bomber. The feature is that the O-2MC double-wing layout is changed to an upper-high single-wing layout. The fuselage structure is made of wood, and the cross-section is changed from rectangular to elliptical. The vertical tail and The shape of the rudder has also been modified.

The aircraft crashed due to a broken wing accident during the test flight. Later, Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory repaired the aircraft.Use as a ground testing machine. Become the reference model of "Yangcheng 74" machine.

Crew: 2 people

Length: 9.4 meters

Wingspan: 12.2 meters

Height: 3.3 meters

Empty weight: 1500 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1776 kg

Engine: A Pratt Whitney R-690-3 "Hornet" star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, single 525 horsepower

Maximum flight speed: 240 thousand Meters per hour

Maximum range: 1126 kilometers

Service limit: 5700 meters

Weapons: One 7.62mm Browning fixed machine gun, one 7.62mm Browning rear seat Movable machine gun, four 45kg bombs

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangchengdaji" reconnaissance/bomber

Imitation prototype of Yangchengdaji "Douglas O-2MC" type The reconnaissance/bomber

"Yangcheng Daji" is based on the "Douglas O-2MC" reconnaissance/bomber. The fuselage structure is made of wood, and the cross section is changed from rectangular to oval, retaining the O-2MC type The two-wing layout, the shape of the vertical tail and rudder have also been modified.

The first "Yangcheng Daji" "Yangcheng 74" was manufactured on March 16, 1934, and then "Yangcheng 75" and "Yangcheng 76" were successfully manufactured. "Yangcheng 77" and "Yangcheng 78", due to the success of this type of aircraft, in 1935 Lin Fuyuan succeeded Menongan as the third director of the Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory and continued to manufacture this type of aircraft. Ten of these aircraft were incorporated into the third and fifth squadrons of the Guangdong Air Force, and they participated in the Red Army operations that encircled southwestern Jiangxi. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the performance of the aircraft was completely behind the Japanese aircraft, so it retreated to the second line, used as Yichang shooting training class and parachuting training class, and then transferred to Chengdu Flying Non-commissioned Officer School as a trainer.

Crew: 2 people

Length: 9.75 meters

Wingspan: 12.19 meters

Height: 3.25 meters

Empty weight: 940 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 2022kg

Engine: a Pratt Whitney R-690-3 "Hornet" star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, single 525 horsepower

Maximum flight speed: 240 thousand Meters per hour

Maximum range: 1126 kilometers

Service limit: 6309 meters

Weapons: One 7.62 mm Browning fixed machine gun, one 7.62 mm Browning rear seat Movable machine gun, four 45kg bombs

Guangdong Aircraft Repair Factory "Yangcheng Kesai" reconnaissance/bomber

The imitation prototype of "Yangcheng Kesai": "Water O2U" -1D"

This model first flew in 1934 is an imitation model based on the "Water O2U-1D", using the same engine and equipment as the O2U-1D, with changes in details. A total of 6 of this type of machine were manufactured, and the last one was numbered "Yangcheng 108".

Yangcheng No. 108 "Yangcheng can stop"

Crew: 2 people

Length: 7.46 meters

Wingspan: 10.52 meters

Height: 3.08 Mi

Empty weight: 1062 kg

Maximum take-off weight: 1649 kg

Engine: One Pratt Whitney R-1340"Wasp star 9-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, single 425 horsepower

Maximum flight speed: 241 kilometers per hour

Maximum range: 978 kilometers

Service limit: 5700 meters

Weapons: One 7.62 mm Browning upper wing fixed machine gun on the right side, one 7.62 mm Browning rear seat movable machine gun, four 50 kg bombs