Georges Levy G.L.40 HB2
Hydravions Georges Levy · France · first flew 1917 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Georges Levy G.L. 40 HB2 was a three-seat French amphibious biplane designed in 1917. It was designed by Blanchard and Le Pen and was therefore also known as the Levy-Le Pen.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-seat amphibious biplane
- Four-bladed pusher propeller driven by a single Renault V-12
- Single 300 hp Renault 12Fe V-12 engine
It is a three-seat amphibious biplane with a pusher propeller. Armament was one machine gun and up to 200 kg of bombs.
Specifications
- The Georges Levy G.L.40 HB2 has a length of 12.4 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.5 m (61 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 145 km/h (90 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It entered service in November 1917 with the French Navy. It was powered by a 300 hp Renault 12Fe V-12 driving a four-bladed pusher propeller.
Variants
About 100 were built, including some by Farman.
Where you'll see it
The Finnish Air Force bought 12 but was not pleased with them, and three were lost in fatal accidents, giving it the nickname the flying coffin. In 1920 the Belgian government's airline in the Congo operated six along the Congo River, and the United States Navy used 12 for patrols from Le Croisic.
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