Thomas Brothers T-2
Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company · United States · first flew 1914 · light aircraft
The Thomas Brothers T-2 was an American two-seat biplane trainer produced in 1914, notable for being purchased by the British Royal Naval Air Service as one of the earliest American aircraft acquired by British military aviation. Its conventional tractor configuration reflected the established practice of the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.92 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Early two-bay tractor biplane with open cockpits
- Supplied to Royal Naval Air Service for training
- Wire-braced wooden structure typical of 1914 construction
A straightforward equal-span two-bay biplane with tractor engine, wire bracing, and open tandem cockpits. Indistinguishable at distance from many contemporary American and British trainers without markings.
Specifications
- The Thomas Brothers T-2 has a length of 7.92 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 134 km/h (83 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company of Bath, New York, delivered 24 T-2 trainers to the RNAS, providing the British naval air arm with additional training capacity in the early months of World War I. The company later merged with Morse Chain Company to form the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation, which produced more famous wartime designs.
Variants
No significant variants recorded for the T-2 designation.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Royal Naval Air Service as a basic trainer from 1914; not known to have seen combat use.
Related aircraft
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