Borgward Kolibri

Borgward Kolibri
Role	Utility helicopter
National origin	German
Manufacturer	Borgward
First flight	July 8, 1958

The Borgward Kolibri (Kolibri meaning "hummingbird" in German) was a German three-seated utility helicopter built by Borgward, designed by Heinrich Focke. It was the first German helicopter after World War Two.^[1] The helicopter first flew on July 8, 1958 in Bremen, piloted by Ewald Rohlfs.^[2] Two prototypes were built. The helicopter had a steel tubing fuselage, and was covered with metal. It had a fabric-covered V-tail, on the end of which would have rotors. The main rotor had three blades with steel tubing for the centre, covered with wood. The helicopter had a six-cylinder air-cooled Lycoming VO-435-A1B engine, producing 260 hp.^[3] The fuel tank was capable of holding 180L. The helicopter could be used for spraying in agriculture, and could carry up to 300 lbs. Development ended after two prototypes were built, as Borgward went bankrupt shortly after in 1961.^[4]

Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: One pilot, two passengers
Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in)
Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
Empty weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
Fuel capacity: 180L
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming VO-435-A1B air-cooled six-cylinder, 190 kW (260 hp)
Main rotor diameter: × 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)

Performance

Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn)
Cruising speed: 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
Range: 322 km; 174 nmi (200 mi)
Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,764 ft)

Notes

^ Aeroplane and commercial aviation news 99: xlix. 1960.
^ Lambermont, Paul Marcel; Anthony Pirie (1970). Helicopters and autogyros of the world. Barnes.
^ Flight International (IPC Transport Press Ltd.) 75: 685. 1959.
^ Aviation week and space technology (McGraw-Hill) 74: 32. 1961.

References

Green, William (1961). The Observer's World Aircraft Directory. F. Warne. p. 142.