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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 2446.PDF
Power plant Pratt and Whitney Wasp Rotor diam. 53ft FuseUge length 4»ft 8|in II eMtltttul-SWorslilf S*&£ THB Leonides-powered multi-purpose S-51 has been in production for over three years and has made an international name for itself in civil and military service. British military variants are the Dragonfly H.R.I, for air/sea-rescue and miscellaneous naval duties, the H.C.2, used by the R.A.F. for casualty evacuation, communication flying and ambulance work, and the H.R.3, which is the latest naval mark, with metal rotor blades and other refinements. As an ambulance the S-51 can accommodate two stretcher cases, either internally, or in exter nal "panniers" affixed to the fuselage sides, and so designed that the patients arc within view of the flight crew. The S-51 has rendered exemplary service on experimental air-mail flights, in special freight operations and as a crop-sprayer. The thrilling relief of the storm-oound Wolf Rock Lighthouse in 1948—another S-51 achievement—will not soon be forgotten. Westland-Siteorsky S-SS NOT the least of this heli copter's remarkable char acteristics is its great superiority in stowage capacity when compared with its forerunner, the S-51. The main cabin is, in fact, 10ft long, 54ft wide and 6ft high, rendering the machine suitable for a multitude of civil or military duties, including troop-carrying. American-built machines of the type have put up many superb performances in Korea. For the present the Westland-built S-55S are powered with the Pratt and Whitney Wasp, of 600 h.p., but eventual adaptation for a British power plant is foreseen. A design-feature of particular interest is the enclosure of the engine by two large nose-doors which allow complete accessibility from ground level. A servo-control system and metal rotor blades are standard equip ment and the clutch, free-wheeling unit, accessory drives and their com ponent parts are readily accessible for maintenance. It is claimed that only three hours are required for the removal and replacement of the entire main rotor head and main transmission, with accessories and the complete hydraulic servo-control.
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