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Sikorsky S-50

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S-50
Role Light observation helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky
Developed from Sikorsky R-6

The Sikorsky S-50 was a smaller lighter version of the Sikorsky R-6 designed for the United States Army Air Corps as an observation helicopter with dual controls in 1943. The design emphasized minimal weight and was to be powered by a 150 hp (112 kW) Franklin 6ACV-298 engine turning a three blade main rotor constructed of metal and plywood covered by 2 layers of fabric. The tail rotor also had three blades made from laminated wood. Further weight savings of the design included the rejection of a conventional oleo strut tail wheel in favor of a tail skid on a pivot cushioned by three rubber doughnuts. One full scale wooden mock-up was built but no flying examples were ever produced.[1]

Specifications

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Data from Sikorsky Archives[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 pax or 400 lb (180 kg) max payload
  • Length: 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m)
  • Empty weight: 1,050 lb (476 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,197 lb (1,450 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6ACV-298 6-cyl. vertically mounted air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 150 shp (110 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 29 ft 10 in (9.1 m)
  • Main rotor area: 2,801 sq ft (260.2 m2) 3-bladed NACA 0012 composite wood/metal construction with fabric covering

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 119 mph (191 km/h, 103 kn)
  • Range: 250 mi (400 km, 220 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,400 ft/min (7.1 m/s)

References

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  1. ^ a b Vinny Devine (October 2013). "S-50". sikorskyarchives.com. Sikorsky Archives. Retrieved 21 May 2017.