WHAT: The National Guard (Aizsargi) place
an order for 12 LKOD-2 aircraft
WHEN: January 23, 1937
WHO: Commander of the National Air Guard, J.Erglis
DETAILS
On January 23, 1937 J.Erglis (Commander of the Aizsargi), J.Indans (Chief Inspector, Civil
Aviation), Lt.Col. J.Zalitis (Aizsargi HQ Officer), A.Kacenis (representing the Riga City
Council), H.Dzelzitis (Head of the Valsts Bank), P.Ozolins (CEO of the Hipotek Bank), J.Jerins
(Director of Civil Aviation) and other dignitaries received a guided tour of the LKOD aviation
section in Liepaja.
As planned, the tour culminated with Erglis, on behalf of the Aizsargi, placing an order
for twelve of the new KOD-2 aircraft.
One of the KOD-2s was available for inspection by the visitors.
In addition to the KOD-2, the visitors were shown the "People's Aircraft" under development
by LKOD. This would be a two-seater, with the seats side-by-side, and powered by a 40-hp
engine. It was designed to have folding wings for easy storage and to be inexpensive enough
to be suitable for sport aviators and clubs.
The KOD-2, as described in 1937, featured the following:
Slow landing speed (60 km/hr)
Built in brakes on main undercarriage. Wheels can be exchanged for skis.
Maximum speed: 180 km/hr
Exceptional aerodynamical stability
Suitable for night flights, with illuminated dials for the pilot
Communication device(?) between pilot and observer
Space provided for camera mount behind the observer
Glass windows beneath pilots and observers feet for observation directly below
Sliding seat for the observer
240-hp Armstrong Siddeley-Lynx engine
Hand starter in cockpit, permitting pilot to restart engine without assistance
3.5 hour endurance at 180 km/hr
It was noted that, aside from the engine and propeller, almost all other parts could be
produced locally, in Latvia.
The first of the aircraft (presumably the demonstrator model mentioned above) was available
for immediate delivery, and it was flown to Spilve, Riga on February 9 by A.Pavlovskis.
SOURCES Sparnota Latvija, No.32, February 1937, pg.52