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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0713.PDF
PLIGHT, 27 May 1960 713 Above, Westland Widgeon with skid-type flotation gear undercarriage Westland (Bristol) Belvedere carrying Bloodhound missile tions of conventional rotors at high speedsthe rotor is partially unloaded and set to turn in autorotation, the remainder of thelift being provided by the fixed wing. For- ward propulsive thrust is then providedthrough conventional propellers. As a passenger transport the Rotodynewill be available in "passenger only," "freight only," "passenger and freight,""car ferry" and "flying crane" versions. A typical layout will have 57 seats (fiveabreast) at 34in pitch. If all toilet facilities are removed and the seat pitch reduced by2in then 75 seats can be made available for very short range work. . There has been much conjecture con-cerning the noise level of the Rotodyne in the city-centre transport role. Numeroustypes of silencer have been investigated and the makers reported late last year: — "The . . . noise level of lOldb at 200ft hasbeen achieved, and it can be confidently expected that further development work willreduce the noise level still further on the pro- duction aircraft. lOldb compares very favour-ably with the general level of noise experienced in London; for example, the general level on anUnderground station platform is about 6Sdb, but the approach of a train raises the level to103db. The noise level in a cafeteria is about 75db and in Piccadilly Circus 98db is not un-usual. The Rotodyne will make an unusual noise, but it will not be exceptionally loud orunpleasant and it is likely that the public will get used to it and gradually accept it as part ofthe general background noise experienced in cities today. The number of people subjected tothe lOldb noise level will be very small indeed, because heliports are likely to be situated eitherat rooftop level or on some relatively open space to provide reasonable approach paths." • Rotor diam, 104ft; fuselage length, 66ftlin; operating weight (crew of three), 35,5641b; gross weight, 53,5001b; cruising speed (initial),not less than 200 m.p.h.; cruising speed (even- tual), over 230 m.p.h. Belvedere The Belvedere twin-enginedtandem-rotor helicopter (Bristol Type 192 Series 2) is in quantity production for theRAF. It is powered with two Napier Gazelle NGa.2 free turbines (lhr rating,1,465 s.h.p.) and the aircraft needs to employ little more than half the availablepower at low altitudes and temperatures. This, it is claimed, leads not only to a highdegree of reliability, but it also enables performance to be maintained at high alti-tudes and temperatures. Comparatively little loss of performance results from asingle engine-failure. The essential characteristics are wellknown, but a recent development is a new tailplane, having the two vertical outboardfins fixed below, and at an anhedral angle to, the extremities. Metal rotor blades andthe latest duplicated power controls are among other new developments. Grossweight is being raised from 18,0001b to 18,5001b, with a military overload case of20,0001b (applying to both take-off and landing). Roles foreseen are militaryengineering, casualty evacuation, troop transport, strategic and tactical logistics,assault, paratrooping, rescue and combat. In the last-named role soldiers could becarried into action and the Belvedere could then function as an observation and recon-naissance post or as a fighting craft, armed with guns or rockets. • Rotor diam, 48ft llin; fuselage length,54ft 4in; max speed, 138 m.p.h.; service ceil- ing, 17,300ft; hovering ceiling (without groundeffect), 5,000ft. Wasp This general-purpose helicopterwas formerly known by the Saunders-Roe designation P.531. Examples have beenordered for the Royal Navy and the Army Air Corps. The production version ispowered by a Blackburn Nimbus free tur- bine. There are two single seats at thefront and a bench seat for three at the rear; the bench can be folded back to leave aclear space for freight or stretchers. A normal fitment is a skid landing gear, in-corporating ground handling wheels, but conventional wheel gear or flotation bagsare offered as alternatives. As a weapon carrier the Wasp lifts a significant load inthe form of guns, rockets or wire-guided missiles. Naval stores such as mines ortorpedoes may be carried beneath the fuselage. Having regard to the Wasp'sintended applications particular attention has been paid to ease of maintenance underfield conditions. All controls and radio, for example, are easily accessible throughinspection doors, and access to instruments and certain parts of the radio is facilitatedby a hinged nose section. The engine plat- form is sufficiently wide to provide stand-ing room for servicing the engine and the rotor head. • Rotor diam, 32ft 3in; length (main bladesfolded), 30ft 4in; weight empty (including oil), 2,8361b; gross weight, 5,0001b; cruising speed,115 m.p.h.; max range (normal tanks), 250 n.m. Skeeter Numerous marks of this lighthelicopter have been supplied for military and civil use. The Mk 12 is standardizedby Britain's Army Air Corps and is powered with a 250 h.p. D.H. GipsyMajor engine, installed (as in all Skeeters) athwartships, the drive for the main rotorbeing taken from the end of the crankshaft on the starboard side. Provision is madefor two stretchers mounted externally on the sides of the cabin. • Rotor diam, 32ft; length (blades folded),28ft 5in; weight empty, 1,6561b; gross weight, 2,2001b; max cruising speed, 92 m.p.h.; maxrate of climb, l,150ft/min; hovering ceiling (free air), 2,500ft. Left, Westland (Saunders-Roe) Wasp Below, Westland (Saunders-Roe) Skeeter
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