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Landgraf H-2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
H-2
Role Single-seat twin-rotor helicopter
Manufacturer Landgraf Helicopter Company
Designer Fred Landgraf
First flight 2 November 1944
Number built 1

The Landgraf H-2 was an American single-seat twin-rotor helicopter designed by Fred Landgraf and built by the Landgraf Helicopter Company of Los Angeles, California. Although awarded a development contract by the United States Army, it was not developed and was overtaken by more advanced designs.

Design and development

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Fred Landgraf formed the Landgraf Helicopter Company in September 1943 to develop and manufacture the H-2. It had an enclosed structure for one pilot and an 85 hp (63 kW) radial engine driving two rotors, each rotor fitted to a short boom on each side of the fuselage. It had a fixed tricycle landing gear. The H-2 first flew on 2 November 1944 and the company was awarded a development contract by the United States Army. It was not developed or bought and the company ceased operations by the end of the 1940s.

Unlike conventional helicopters, the H-2 used a tension-rod drive system to drive the side-by-side rotors.[1] Control of blade pitch was also unconventional, with the blade shells rotating freely about the spars, controlled by ailerons near the tips.[2]

Specifications

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Data from [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: 186 lb (84 kg)
  • Length: 15 ft (4.6 m) fuselage only
  • Wingspan: 12 ft 2 in (3.7 m) outrigger wings
  • Width: 29 ft 10 in (9.1 m) including rotors
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pobjoy R 7-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 85 hp (63 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 2 × 18 ft 1 in (5.5 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ ALLWARD, MAURICE F. (14 October 1948). "Tie-Rod Transmission". Flight: 458. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Landgraf Model H-2". Stingray's List of Rotorcraft. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  3. ^ Eckland, K.O. (2008-08-15). "American airplanes: La - Li". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 2011-02-14.

Bibliography

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  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 2280.
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