Bensen B-10

The Bensen B-10 Propcopter was an unconventional VTOL aircraft developed by Igor Bensen in the United States in the late 1950s. The pilot sat astride a beam that had an engine mounted at either end of it, each driving a rotor to provide lift. Each of these rotors was surrounded by a system of four pivotable vanes to direct its downwash, and linked to a control stick for the pilot, this provided control of the craft. Only a single prototype (registered N56U) was built.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Main rotor diameter: 2× 4 ft 0 in (1.20 m)
• Powerplant: 2 × McCulloch piston engines, 72 hp (54 kW) each

See also

• Williams X-Jet

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• HZ-1 Aerocycle
• VZ-1 Pawnee
• VZ-8 Airgeep

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bensen aircraft.

• aviastar.org B-10 Prop-Copter VTOL aircraft
• 1000aircraftphotos.com B-10 Prop-Copter VTOL aircraft
• Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 210. 
• Hirschberg, Michael J. (2000). The American Helicopter. pp. 30–31.