W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

THOMAS-MORSE MB-2 USA

   Designed after the crash of the MB-1, the MB-2 was a two-seat fighter of unstaggered, equi-span biplane configuration intended to use a geared Liberty 12 engine. Of fabric-covered wooden construction, the upper wing was a two-spar structure and the lower wing a three-spar structure. Intended armament comprised two synchronised machine guns (one 0.3- in/7,62-mm and the other 0.5-in/12,7-mm) in the forward fuselage and one 0.3-in weapon on a ring mount in the rear cockpit. The flight test MB-2 was delivered in November 1918, two prototypes having been ordered by the Signal Corps, and the first of these being completed in single-bay configuration. Structural testing indicated that the wing cellule possessed insufficient strength and the aircraft was modified as a conventional-structure two-bay biplane. The US Army did not consider the potential performance of the MB-2 to warrant series production and development was discontinued. No performance details of the MB-2 are recorded.

Empty weight, 2,047 lb (929 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,773 lb (1258 kg).
Span, 31 ft 0 in (9,45 m).
Length, 24 ft 0 in (7,31 m).
Height, 8 ft 0 in (2,43m).
Wing area, 323 sq ft (30,00 m2).

J.Forsgren The Thomas-Morse MB-3 (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 60)

The Thomas-Morse MB-2

  The two-seat MB-2 was a biplane of orthodox design, having a fabric-covered wooden airframe with equal-span, unstaggered wings. Responsibility for design work was placed with B D Douglas. Power was provided by a 400 h.p. geared Liberty 12c engine, driving a huge four-blade propeller. The MB-2s intended armament was to consist of one 7.62 mm (0.3 in) and one 12.7 (0.5 in) synchronized forward-firing machine guns and one 7.62 mm (0.3 in) machine gun in a swivelling mount in the rear cockpit.
  As with the MB-1, efforts were made to reduce overall weight of the MB-2. Two MB-2 prototypes were ordered, USAAS serial numbers A.S.25805 and A.S.25806, with the latter taking to the air in November 1918. (Some sources, including The American Spad by R.L. Bliss, state that the MB-2 was never flown.) Apparently, the second MB-2 did not proceed beyond an incomplete fuselage.
  The first MB-2 prototype featured single-bay wings. However, static tests showed the wings being of insufficient strength. Although twin-bay wings were fitted, as well as a 450 h.p. Liberty engine along with a different radiator and a four-blade propeller, MB-2 development was abandoned. No performance data for the MB-2 appear to have survived.


Thomas-Morse MB-2 Technical Data
   Wingspan: 31 ft (9,45 m)
   Length: 24 ft (7,31 m)
   Height: 8 ft (2,43 m)
   Wing area: 323 sq ft (30 m2)
   Empty weight: 2,047 lb (929 kg)
   Loaded weight: 2,773 lb (1,258 kg)
   Fuel capacity: 50 US gal (1,891 l)