Bölkow Bo 46
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| Bo 46 | |
|---|---|
 Bo 46, first prototype |
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| Type | Experimental high-speed helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Bölkow |
| Maiden flight | 30 January 1964 |
| Number built | 3 |
The Bölkow Bo 46 was an experimental helicopter developed in Germany in 1964 to test the new Derschmidt rotor system. It was a conventional helicopter design with a highly streamlined fuselage built by SIAT. This, together with the new rotor system, suggested in wind tunnel experiments that the helicopter could have attained a top speed of 500 km/h (310 mph), although this was never achieved during flight testing. Flight tests were promising, but the advantages of the new rotor system seemed to be outweighed by its added complexity, and further research in this direction was abandoned in 1966. Towards the end of the flight test programme, one of the prototypes was evaluated with a pair of Turboméca Marboré II turbojets mounted on the fuselage sides, which brought its top speed up to over 400 km/h (250 mph).
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger/observer
- Main rotor diameter: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Main rotor area: 78.5 m² (845 ft²)
- Gross weight: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Turboméca Turmo IIIB, 597 kW (800 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 320 km/h (200 mph)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 192.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 890 Sheet 73-74.
- Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing, 131.
[edit] See also
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