Mitsubishi Solitaire Specs and Description

Background/History

Mitsubishi undertook design of a light, twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft in 1956. In September 1963 the first MU-2 took to the air powered by a pair of Turbomeca turboprop engines. This powerplant was used in the initial production MU-2A’s, but the MU-2B and all subsequent variants were powered by Garrett TPE331 turboprop engines. All MU-2 variants were pressurized except the MU-2D, of which only 18 were built. In January 1969, the MU-2G introduced a stretched fuselage to the lineup, and from that model forward there were both 33 ft. and 39 ft. fuselage lengths in the line. The short-fuselage MU-2P and the long-fuselage MU-2N featured four-bladed propellers driven by TPE 331-5-252M engines. These became the Solitaire and Marquise respectively. Production of the MU-2 type ceased in 1985, after a total build of 831 units of all variants of which 57 were Solitaires.

Power

The Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire is powered by a pair of Honeywell TPE331-10-201M turboprop engines flat-rated at 665shp and each driving a 98-inch diameter, constand speed, four-blade Hartzell propeller. Inspection interval on this engine series is 5,400 hours.

Avionics

MU-2’s are found to have a variety of Collins or King avionics, but a typical installation might include dual King KTR 900A comms, dual KNR 660A/661 navs, KDF60A ADF, Bendix M4-C autopilot, and Sperry Primus 300 weather radar.

Design Features

The Mitsubishi MU-2 is a short- to medium-range, twin engine, turboprop-powered light business/utility aircraft configured as a cantilever high-wing monoplane with a conventional tail. The fuselage is pressurized, with the wing mounted atop the pressure vessel. Lateral control is provided solely by differential deployment of spoilers. This allows the entire trailing edge of the wing to consist of full-span Fowler flaps. The tricycle landing gear retracts into the lower fuselage and has a single wheel on the main gear and a dual mount on the nose assembly. Large tiptanks adorn the wing.

Accomodations

Although the short-fuselage MU-2’s (models B, C, D, E, F, K, M, P, and Solitaire) can marginally accomodate as many as seven passengers, including one in the right seat of the flight deck, the cabin is better suited for fewer passengers. A typical seating arrangement includes a full-width bench seat at the rear of the cabin, one individual seat with a work table and a side divan. Cabin dimensions are 4.3ft. in height, 4.9ft. in width and 8ft. in length.