aerei curiosi

[Ospite intruder]

 

Altro homebuilt

[Blue Sky]

PZL-Swidnik JK-1 "Trzmiel"

1957

 

 

A new jet-powered helicopter, the JK-1 Trzmiel, designed by J. Kotlinski, a former member of Zurakowski's design team, was completed at the I.L. (Aircraft Institute) in the Spring of 1957 and was flight-tested later in the same year. TYPE: Light pulse-jet-powered helicopter. ROTOR SYSTEM: Two-bladed main rotor with small two-blade servo-rotor above main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. Main rotor blades, with a steel spar in the leading edge, are filled with plastic and have sheet duralumin skin. Servo-rotor of two circular planform blades mounted on short streamline stubs. Two-blade small diameter directional control rotor at the rear end of fuselage frame. Total main disc area 38m2. FUSELAGE: Uncovered steel-tube structure. POWER PLANT: Two 11-kg Wojcicki pulse-jets mounted at tips of main rotor blades.

[Blue Sky]

Westland-Cierva CL-20

1935

 

 

 

 

It is true that man has conquered the air and annihilated distance, but his victory will not be truly complete until he is able to perform with the same degree of skill as Nature's aviators, the birds, with their control of wide speed ranges and ability to take off and land safely in very confined spaces.

Many experiments have been made to achieve this desirable end, but only with light rotating-wing—or autogiro—aircraft has any measure of success been attained. With these machines it is now possible to fly quite slowly, in perfect safety, and to take off and alight in areas comparable to the size of a tennis court, but the problems attaching to the design and operation of large commercial aircraft of this type have still to be overcome.

The development of the successful light autogiro, however, has been in two stages, the first being that in which the rotors revolved in a fixed plane in relation to the fuselage, and flight evolutions were effected by a set of normal aeroplane controls. The second stage was reached with the direct-control autogiro, in which the rotor hub could be moved and the plane of the rotors varied in relation to the fuselage, thus effecting directional control.

At this stage the question of comfort arose, and Westland, in conjunction with the Cierva Company and M. Lepere, produced the C.L.20 Autogiro, a neat two-seat side-by-side cabin machine.

 

Aviastar

[Blue Sky]

Vertol-NASA Tilt-Wing

1959

 

An advanced Tilt-Wing concept evolved as a joint NASA/Vertol program in the late 1950s that never advanced beyond the wind tunnel stage. A pure Tilt-Wing concept, the craft featured six-propellers driven by a thousand horsepower variable-frequency electric motor. Additional lift was also acquired by double-slotted flaps that covered about 60% of the chord. The extremely small-in-diameter propeller mounts gave the plane a completely different look.

[Ospite intruder]

 

Groen Hawk H4 2000. Groen Brothers has been working on its Hawk Gyroplane family since 1986. Prototypes leading up to the Hawk 4 include the Hawk I and H2X. The Hawk 4 Gyroplane is the first in a series of near VTOL-capable aircraft and is initially being developed and marketed to government agencies, with FAA certification not expected for at least two years. The RevCon 6G technology demonstrator uses the fuselage of a Cessna 337 as the basis of its fuselage and will be progressively modified into a gyrodyne by the addition of rotor blade mounted tipjets; Groen has offered its GyroLifter gyrodyne to the US Department of Defense. The company has a flight test facility at Buckeye, Arizona, where, on 12 July 2000, the prototype Jet Hawk 4T / Hawk 4 made its initial flight.

 

In July 2001, Groen announced plans to move to a new 18.580m2 facility at Phoenix, Arizona. The plant, which will cost US$14 million and employ 425, was intended to become operational by end 2002 and have the capacity to produce four aircraft per day, however this has lapsed.

 

In August 2001 the company concluded a joint venture with Al-Obayya Corporation to produce and market gyroplanes in Saudi Arabia. However, economic downturn of late 2001 resulted in 85 of 130-strong workforce being laid off. Earlier plans for Chinese assembly also appear to have lapsed.

 

Groen is also the parent of American Autogyro (AAJ), whose Sparrowhawk is described elsewhere.

 

GROEN HAWK 4

 

TYPE: four-seat autogyro

 

PROGRAMME: Based on proof-of-concept Hawk One (N4379X) first flown 26 September 1992; design started April 1996 and prototype two-seat H2X (N4412X) first flew 4 February 1997; later converted to three-seat Hawk III standard. First deliveries had been due June 1998, but design changes to H2X and later Hawk III in October 1998 resulted in Hawk 4. Initial aircraft (N402GB) first flew 29 September 1999, powered by a Continental piston engine, and made first vertical take-off on 9 December 1999; had flown 120 hours in 200 sorties by early April 2000. In September 2000 company switched certification effort to turbine-powered Hawk 4T (N403GB), which was renamed Hawk 4 at this time following abandonment of piston-engined version; the following October Groen changed its focus to seek government contracts for Hawk 4, slowing certification process for both piston- and turbine-powered versions until it sees market upturn.

 

On 28 December 2001, Groen announced contract with Utah Olympic Public Safety Command for lease of Hawk 4, beginning 20 January 2002, for security patrols at Salt Lake International Airport, equipped with video downlink system, Spectrolab SX-5 searchlight and additional radios; aircraft flew 75 hours in 67 operations.

 

CURRENT VERSIONS:

 

Hawk 4: Currently powered by 313kW Rolls-Royce 250-B17C turboprop; first flew (N403GB) 12 July 2000; originally intended for certification late 2001. Other changes include addition of underfins and taller landing gear. Two further prototypes under construction.

Applications include airborne law enforcement., electronic news gathering, aerial surveillance, utility/passenger transport and aerial application.

 

 

Jet Hawk 4T: Original designation for turbine-powered version. Renamed Hawk 4 by 2002.

 

Hawk 8: Proposed eight-seat variant with four-blade rotor and 559kW turboprop engine.

CUSTOMERS: By May 2003, deposits on 148 aircraft had been taken, via 12 dealerships. Fractional ownership programme announced July 2001 but later dropped.

 

COSTS: Around US$749.000 (2003).

 

DESIGN FEATURES: Twin tailbooms supported by stub-wings which also house main landing gear; large twin stabilisers and rudders; with fixed horizontal tail surface mounted between the vertical tails. Two-blade, semi-rigid aluminium teetering rotor with swashplate. Rotor speed 270rpm.

 

FLYING CONTROLS: Patented collective pitch-controlled rotor head allows smooth vertical take-off (zero ground roll) and enhanced flight performance. Rotor brake is standard. Actuation by pushrods. Patented dual-control stack cyclic flight controls.

 

STRUCTURE: Steel mast and engine mounts; stressed skin aluminium semi-monocoque fuselage, tail unit, hub structure and propeller; composites nose, engine cowling and wingtips; acrylic windscreen and doors; glass fibre nosecone and engine cowling.

 

LANDING GEAR: Initially fixed tricycle type; with electrohydraulically operated retractable gear to be offered later. Mainwheel tyres 6.00x6; nosewheel 5.00x5; Cleveland hydraulic brakes. Twin safety wheels at rear of tailbooms.

 

POWER PLANT: Production prototype for Hawk series was powered by a 134êW Textron Lycoming O-360-A4M flat-four. Hawk H2X had one 335kW Geschwinder V-8 aluminium liquid-cooled engine, derated to 261kW at 2.500rpm, driving a Hartzell three-blade constant-speed propeller.

 

Hawk 4 piston-powered version has air-cooled, six-cylinder Teledyne Continental TSIO-550 rated at 261kW at 2.700rpm; prototype had four-blade MTV propeller but production models will have Hartzell three-blade constant-speed propeller. Engine provides power to rotor for prerotation to provide for short and vertical take-off capability; power to rotor system never engaged during flight. Hawk 4 turbine-powered version has one 313kW gas turbine engine driving three-blade constant-speed propeller.

 

Fuel capacity 284 litres in single tank at rear of fuselage; refuelling point at top of fuselage. Oil capacity 11.4 litres.

 

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and up to three passengers in enclosed cabin in two pairs of seats; rear seats fold to provide baggage space.

 

SYSTEMS: Electrical system 28V DC.

 

AVIONICS: Comms: Honeywell KLX 135A GPS/COM, KT 76A transponder with Mode Ñ, ÐÌ 3000 intercom. Flight: United Instruments suite.

 

 

Technical data for Hawk H4

 

Rotor diameter: 12.80m, fuselage length: 7.31m, overall height: 4.11m, empty weight: 835kg, max. take-off weight: 1587kg, max. speed: 238km/h, cruising speed at 75% power: 212km/h max. rate of climb at sea level: 457m/min, service seiling: 4875m, take-off run:8 m, range with max fuel at 75% power: 584km

 

 

 

[Blue Sky]

Pescara Stoppable Rotor-Wing

1922 - project

 

 

In stiff competition with Oemichen, Spanish engineer Marquis Raul Pateras Pescara began building rotary wing machines, initially in Barcelona, but after 1922, in France. In June of that year, Pescara proposed a co-axial rotor aircraft where the rotors could stop and form a biplane. A pusher propeller provided forward thrust. He built a small-scale model of the concept, but nothing more. Interestingly, a concept not unlike this, the Herrick Convertoplane, was flown in the U.S. just 15 years later.

[Ospite intruder]

 

Sportd Flight Sky Pup-1

[Blue Sky]

Brondetti helicopter

1950

 

 

Possibly the smallest helicopter in existence, this 80hp Brondetti two-seater was exhibited recently in Rome. Intended range is 640km, but whether it has made its first flight is as yet unknown

[Ospite intruder]

 

Ditemi che è uno scherzo... Fiat 7002

Modificato 10 Gennaio 2009 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

Piaggio PD.4

1952

 

 

 

 

A prototype helicopter is currently undergoing flight trials by the Piaggio company. Styled P.D.4, it is a tandem-rotor design, powered, apparently, by an inverted-vee, eight-cylinder engine at the rear. There appears to be a large space behind the pilot's seat where cargo could be stowed in the vicinity of the e.g.

[Ospite intruder]

Certo,si sono applicati per bene a partorire roba simile. Questa è l'ennesima aero-macchina:

 

 

Trautman Road Air

[Blue Sky]

Lualdi L-55

1955

 

 

Aer Lualdi was formed in 1953 and flew its first experimental helicopter, designated the ES 53, in September of that year. This aircraft was powered by an 85hp Continental engine and incorporated the "Rotor-Matic" type of rotor system designed by Hiller Aircraft Corp. of Palo Alto, California, supplemented by a Lualdi gyroscopic system which was claimed to ensure smoother flight and easier handling qualities.

Subsequently, Lualdi were appointed agents and licencees for Hiller in Italy, and the rotor system pioneered with the ES 53 has been a feature of each of their subsequent designs. The first of these was the L.55, which introduced a fully-streamlined fuselage with stressed-skin tailboom and was powered by a 180hp Lycoming engine.

Experience with the L.55 led to construction of an improved model, designated the L.57, with a main rotor of increased diameter and a larger tail rotor built of reinforced plastic. Several technical improvements were developed on this model, including an auto-pilot, and its flight testing has proved so satisfactory that it forms the basis for the fully-developed L.59, with more powerful engine and metal rotor blades, which is scheduled for series production.

Two prototypes of the L.59 are being built in the Macchi factory at Varese and the first was expected to fly in the Summer of 1959. Work on an initial production series of 50 was scheduled to begin in September, 1959.

[Ospite intruder]

 

Non è particolarmente strano, ma si tratta quasi sicuramente del primo esempio di aereo parassita della storia, un Bristol Scout trasportato da un idrovolante chiamato, forse per scherzo, Porte Baby; le foto furono scattate il 17 Maggio 1916 e l'esperimento andò a buon fine, col distacco delle ude macchine alla quota di mille piedi (305 metri), ma non fu più ripetuto.

[Blue Sky]

Aerotecnica AC-12

1956

 

 

Aerotecnica S.A. entered the helicopter field by engaging the services of the French engineer Jean Cantinieau and at the same time acquiring the Matra-Cantinieau MC-101 light helicopter which was built by the French Societe Matra in 1952. This helicopter was given the designation AC-11 (Aerotecnica-Cantinieau-11).

From the AC-11 have been developed the AC-12 and AC-13, the former powered by a 150hp Lycoming O-320 engine and the latter by a Turbomeca Artouste I gas turbine.

[Blue Sky]

Brookland Mosquito

1962

 

 

The Brookland Mosquito was a British amateur-built single-seater ultra-light gyroplane first flown in 1962. the Brookland Mosquito was powered by a Brooks-converted Volkswagen four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine providing a top speed of 137km/h, and in a second version 161km/h, and a range of 225km.

[Ospite intruder]

 

AirScooter II 2007

 

Going back to the future of rotor craft design is the basic concept of the AirScooter VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) vehicle by AirScooter Corporation of Henderson, Nevada. "The original Sikorsky rotorcraft helicopter concept was based on a coaxial design much like the AirScooter," says Woody Norris; internationally recognized inventor and AirScooter Corporation co-founder, "what we've done is package the coaxial design in a modern light-weight craft that allows for intuitive control and incredible maneuverability."

 

By eliminating the need and complexity of swashplates, collective and cyclic control through a coaxial rotor design a number of benefits beyond conventional helicopter designs are immediately realized. First; enhanced, intuitive flight controls are achieved by simple motorcycle-style handlebars and the absence of a tail rotor. To gain altitude, simply throttle up like you would on a motorcycle, turn left or right on the handlebars for craft rotation and move the handlebar assembly as a joystick for directional control (including reverse). No pedal controls are necessary, which means someone without the use of their legs can just as easily fly the AirScooter. Handlebar controls represent the most distinguishable feature of the AirScooter. AirScooter's patented design also provides an amazing level of stability while in the air and during flight.

 

In addition to intuitive and greatly simplified flight control, perhaps the AirScooter's greatest design feature, is that it falls into the ultralight weight class; requiring no pilot's license. Weight has long been the greatest obstacle to a successful ultralight coaxial design and AirScooter has overcome this obstacle by using superior design elements and space-age composite materials.

 

Unlike most recreational aircraft, the AirScooter is not a kit. The AirScooter will come completely assembled except for installation of the rotor blades and will include the added feature of extremely durable pneumatic floats instead of traditional helicopter skids. This feature further adds to the versatility of the AirScooter to get you wherever you want to go on land or swamp while providing a softer landing.

 

 

 

Engine: 1 x 65hp AeroTwin four-stroke, rotor diameter: 4.27m, length: 3.81m, height: 3.35m, width: 2.13m, useful load: 150kg, max speed: 100km/h

[Blue Sky]

Già Postato!

 

Fairey Ultra-Light

1955

 

[Ospite intruder]

The BI-6 in the wind tunnel

 

 

In 1940 Aleksander Yakovlevich Bereznyak conceived the idea of a small target-defence interceptor powered by a Dushkin D-1A-1100 rocket engine using kerosene and nitric acid as fuel, after being told of the engine by Aleksei Isaev. The aircraft which took shape was known as the BI (standing for Bereznyak and Isaev who were responsible for the idea and design) would become the world's first rocket powered fighter, it's first flight under power being on 15/04/1942. The endurance of the BI was considered too short, so in the tradition of the Soviet aircraft industry, it was suggested that ramjets be fitted to the wing tips of the BI-6, in this case 2x Merkulov DM-4 ramjets. The aircraft was tested in a wind tunnel (TsAGI-101) in the spring of 1944 but never flew.

 

All together only 8 planes were completed BI-1 to BI-8, with around 20 in an advanced stage of assembly out of an order by the VVS for 50 production aircraft by the time the BI was abandoned, after BI-6 crashed killing the pilot in 1943.

 

A Soviet cut away of BI-2 showing the rocket engine layout

 

BI-6 before having the ramjets fitted

 

Engine: 1x Dushkin-Isaev D1A-1100 Rocket Engine / 2x Merkulov DM-4 Ramjets

[b]Wing Span: 6.48 m

Length:[/b] 6.40 m

Height: 2.06 m

Weight: Empty 790 kg / Loaded 1683 kg

Maximum Speed: 990+ km/h

Range: 2 minutes at full power

Crew: 1

Armament: 2x 20 mm cannons

[Blue Sky]

PZL-Swidnik BZ-1 "Gil"

1950

 

[Ospite intruder]

 

Borovkov-Florov "Izdeliye D"

 

The "D" was designed by A.A.Borovkov and I.F. Florov in 1940/41, it was the most advanced of the USSR's piston engine and combined ramjet designs, the "D" had many advanced features such as 20°swept wings, the ramjets fitted in the twin tail booms and a ingenious design of pneumatic ejection seat.

 

But it was never to take to the air, because of the German attack on the USSR in 1941 stopped all work on this project, as OKB-7 was in the extreme western USSR.

 

A.A.Borovkov was killed in an air crash in 1945. I.F.Florov went on to design the Florov 4302 Rocket plane in 1945/46.

 

Engine: 1x Tumansky M-71 piston engine @ 2,000 hp/ 2x Merkulov DM-12 ramjets, fitted in side the twin booms.

Wing Span: 14.80m

Length: 11.67m

 

Weight: N/A

Maximum Speed: 837 km/h

Ceiling: N/A

Range: N/A

Crew: 1

Armament: 2x ShVAK 20mm cannons / 2x NS-37 37mm cannons

 

[Blue Sky]

Praga E-1

1947

 

 

The CZAL (Aero) factory at Karlin, led by Jaroslav Slechta, developed the XE-1 two-seat helicopter project in 1947, fitted with twin inter-meshing rotors and a 100hp Praga M-197 engine. This led to the XE-II (OK-FYA) which flew on 14 December 1949. It was an open single-seater with a single three-blade main rotor and 75hp Praga D engine.

[Ospite intruder]

Dite quello che vi pare, un Meteor a elica può essere definito "curioso":

 

[Blue Sky]

Dornier Do-32

1962

 

[Ospite intruder]

 

Una follia sovietica degli anni Trenta, il sommergibile aeroportato... per la cronaca, il somergibile e l'aereo furono costruiti e testati separatamente, il battelo funzionò bene, l'aereo un po' meno, non raggiunse quota e velocità previsti neppuer a vuoto, figurarsi col peso appeso sotto... finì tutto nel dimenticatoio.

[Blue Sky]

Matra-Cantinieau MC.101

1952