In July 1952, Lycoming was awarded a contract by the Air Force Air Materiel Command to develop a free-turbine turboshaft engine designated LTC1 (military designation T53-L-1). The first production engine was delivered in 1959.
The T53's front-drive, concentric-shaft arrangement set a widely accepted U.S. design standard for turboshaft engines, and gave Lycoming its start in the aircraft gas turbine business. It was a key technology contributing to expansion of Army aviation's air-mobility during the Viet Nam War. Airframe applications were the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) and AH-1 HueyCobra helicopters and Grumman OV-1 Mohawk aircraft.
Development of the T53-L-13 (LTC1K-4) series began in 1959, and the engine first ran in 1960. Qualified in June 1966, the first production engine was delivered in August 1966. The L-13 series powered the Bell HU-1C/D/H Iroquois and the Bell AH-1G HueyCobra. This Lycoming LTC1K-4 (Air Force Model No. T53L1B) turboshaft engine powered a U.S. Air Force Kaman HH-43B helicopter.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
1966
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
Designer
Dr Anselm Franz
Manufacturer
Lycoming (Stratford, Connecticut)
Physical Description
Type: Turboshaft, two-shaft free turbine engine
Power rating: 1,044 kW (1,400 shp) at 1,250 rpm
Compressor: 5-stage axial and 1-stage centrifugal
Combustor: Annular
Turbine: Single-stage axial gas generator, single-stage axial-flow free power
Weight: 249 kg (549 lb)
Dimensions
3-D (L x W x H) (Overall (no mount)): 121.9 × 63.5 × 78.7cm, 251.7kg (4 ft. × 2 ft. 1 in. × 2 ft. 7 in., 555lb.)
Materials
Metal
Inventory Number
A19730230000
Credit Line
Transferred from the General Services Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
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