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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0309.PDF
6 March 1953 307 Commercial Aircraft 1953 ... HELICOPTERS (Top) Bristol 173 (for British European Airways.) (Left) Bell 47 (Helicopter Air Service, Chicago). (Above) Hitler 360 (Pest Control, Ltd.). THE helicopter is slowly but firmly taking its place in the pattern of commercial aviation, on both charter and scheduled work. Listed here are the main machines in present or near- future use; these and other types were described at length in Flight's special Helicopter Number of January 23rd. BELL 47 • Chosen for scheduled mail operation in Belgium, Sweden and the United States, the ubiquitous Bell performs also many other and varied tasks, such as crop spraying, power-line inspection, forestry surveying, and ambulance and rescue duties. Rotor diameter, 35ft i^in; gross weight, 2,3501b; cruising speed, 78 m.p.h. (Franklin 6V4-200-C32 of 200 h.p.) BRISTOL 171 • The five-seat civil version of Bristol's first rotorplane project is the Mk 3, three of which B.E.A. expect to be operating on the London-Birmingham passenger service later this year. Under development at present is the Mk 4, an inter changeable civil/military version with starboard pilot-position. Rotor diameter, 48ft 6£in; gross weight, 5,200 lb; cruising speed, 120 m.p.h. (Alvis Leonides 73 of 550 h.p.) BRISTOL 173 • One of the world's first twin-engined helicopters, this 13-passenger machine impressed onlookers at Farnborough last year with its efficient "airliner" appearance. The first 173 Mk 3 (carrying 17 passengers) will be fitted with Leonides Major engines, and B.E.A. plan to operate a small fleet of these developed versions on inter-city routes after twin-engined experience has been gained with the present type. Rotor diameter, 48ft 6Jin; gross weight, 10,600 lb; cruising speed, 113 m.p.h. (Two Alvis Leonides 73, each of 550 h.p.) HILLER 360 • Although present production is confined to the military developments of this design, large numbers of the two-seat commercial Hillers are flying in many countries. In Britain, the simplicity and economy of this small rotorplane have established it as the most suitable type for the manifold bucolic duties of Pest Control, Ltd., one of this country's leading helicopter operators. Rotor diameter, 35ft; gross weight, 2,500 lb; cruising speed, 70 m.p.h. (Franklin 6V4-200-C33 of 200 h.p.) WESTLAND-SIKORSKY S-51 • In addition to flying on crop-spraying and other charter work, this well-known helicopter has formed the mainstay of B.E.A.'s helicopter researches over the past six years, and was selected for the world's first scheduled passenger helicopter service. It has since been employed on both passenger and mail scheduled services with outstanding regularity. Rotor diameter, 48ft; gross weight, 5,700 lb; cruising speed, 85 m.p.h. (Alvis Leonides 521 of 520 h.p.) WESTLAND-SIKORSKY S-55 • With an already notable background of military operations, this machine is coming into increasing civil use. Made by Sikorsky in the U.S., Westlands in England (and soon by S.N.C.A.S.E. in France), the S-55 carries ten passengers plus a two-man crew. Executive transport, freight and mail duties are already performed on a sizeable scale by S-55S in the U.S.A. Ease of maintenance in operation is assisted by the clamshell-type nose-doors. Rotor diameter, 53ft; gross weight, 6,800 lb; cruising speed, 86 m.p.h. (Pratt and Whitney Wasp R-1340 of 600 h.p.) Sikorsky S-51 (B.E.A.). Sikorsky S-55 (Los Angeles Airways).
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