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The Bell HSL (Model 61) was an American 1950s ASW helicopter built by Bell Helicopter company, the only tandem rotor design designed by Bell.
[edit] Design and development
On 4 March 1953 the prototype Bell Model 61 first flew, it had been designed to meet a United States Navy requirement for an anti-submarine warfare helicopter. In June 1950 the Model 61 was announced as the winner of the competition, three XHS-1 evaluation aircraft were ordered. The Model 61 was had a rectangular-section fuselage structure and a four-wheel landing gear. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine mounted in the aft fuselage. Crew included two pilots and two sonar operators.
Service test resulted in an order for 78 aircraft designated HSL-1, with 18 intended for the British Royal Navy. Subsequently, only 50 were built and none were delivered.
[edit] Operational history
The first aircraft entered service with Helicopter Squadron HU-1 in January 1957. Limited performance meant that the aircraft did not remain in service for long.
[edit] Variants
- XHSL-1
- three Model 61s for evaluation.
- HSL-1
- production version, 50 built.
[edit] Operators
United States
[edit] Specifications (HSL-1)
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 29 ft 2¾in (11.96 m)
- Rotor diameter: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
- Height: 14ft 6in (4.42 m)
- Disc area: 4,166 ft² (387.02 m²)
- Max takeoff weight: 26,500 lb (12020 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-5 Double Wasp radial piston, 1,900 hp (1417 kW)
- Propellers: 2 rotor, 2 per engine
- Propeller diameter: 51 ft 6in (15.70 m)
Performance
[edit] References
- Andrade, John M. U.S.Military Aircraft Designation and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London, Orbis Publishing.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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USN helicopter designations pre-1962 |
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| Helicopter, Anti-submarine |
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| Helicopter, Crane |
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| Helicopter, Observation |
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| Helicopter, Trainer pre-1948 |
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| Helicopter, Trainer 1948-1962 |
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| Helicopter, Transport 1944-1962 |
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| Helicopter, Utility pre-1949 |
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| Helicopter, Utility 1950-1962 |
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Lists relating to aviation |
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| General |
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| Military |
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| Accidents/incidents |
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| Records |
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