Lu-2C/41 "Orthrus"

Luminarii Lu-2, Variant C (Carrier), 1941
Naval Grey Paint
Origin: Imperium Obelia
Manufacturer: Luminarii Aerospace, Kola Arm Industry

Main role: Carrier-based Fighter
Sub-role: Carrier-based Attacker
Seat: 1
Designed: 1941-1942
In-service: Early 1944
Length: 10.5m
Wingspan: 12.6m
Height: 3.8m
Powerplant: 2x Luna-Morta V12Y 870HP Liquid-Cooled Piston Engine (870HP each)
Propeller: 8-bladed Juno C1 Constant Speed, Contra-Rotating Propeller (4-each)
Max Speed: 720KPH with LM-1/20 WEP
Cruise Speed: 424kph
Range: 1.050km
Armaments:
4 x 20mm L34 wing mounted autocannon
4 x Hardpoints for bombs, rockets, or torpedo with maximum carriage of 1100kg

DESCRIPTION

Luminarii Lu-2C/41 was a carrier-based fighter aircraft manufactured by Luminarii Aerospace to replace their aging carrier-based aircrafts. Its developments dated back from 1941 with new experimental contra-rotating propeller to increase effectiveness during flight. Nicknamed "Orthrus", refering to its unorthodox two Luna-Morta V12Y 870HP placed in tandem position to power both propeller. It was the fastest carrier-based aircraft of its era until the dawn of jets. Lu-2C/41 remains in service until 1957, replaced by none as at this stage, Imperial Navy lost all of its aircraft carriers.

SERVICE HISTORY

Lu-2C/41 begun their service in 1944 as part of Imperial Navy Flyers. Operation Blue (1941) that launched by Allied force managed to cripple the battleship-oriented Imperial Navy, proving the effectiveness or aircrafts in naval combat. Ever since, Imperial Navy started to shifting their power tip into carrier strike groups, developing better carrier and of course, the aircraft it would carry, in this case, Lu-2C/41.
Lu-2C/41 took part in Operation Monodon (1945), a major strikes againts 4th Fleet and 7th Fleet of the Allied Navy. Although the operation was a failure, Lu-2C/41 managed to score high kill ratio againts Allied fighters. It was fast and quite agile in tight dogfight. It was almost immediately favored among pilots, but hated by the maintenance crew because of its complex tandem engines and contra-rotating propeller.
After the decimations of Imperial Highsea Fleets, Lu-2C/41 remains in production as land-based fighter to intercept allied bombers alongside Ha-164A, a high-altitude interceptor. It remains to be one of the best fighter of Imperial Navy and Royal Airforce. One such success was in the Operation Infernum (1948), where Lu-2C/41s scored major kills againts bombers. The quadruple 20mm cannons were proven deadly effective againts bombers.

CONTROLS

AG1 to Activate Weapons
AG2 to Jettison Hardpoints
AG5 to activate Lights
AG6 to Fold Wings
VTOL for Flaps
Gear Down to extend arresting hooks