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Aero HC-2 Heli Baby

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Aero HC-2 Heli Baby
HC-2 in flight
Role Light helicopter
National origin Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
Designer Jaroslav Šlechta
First flight December 3, 1954
Introduction 1955
Produced 1958-1962[1]
Number built 23 (including 2 prototypes)

The Aero HC-2 Heli Baby is a two-seat general-purpose light utility helicopter, designed by engineer Jaroslav Šlechta, and produced by the Czechoslovak company Aero Vodochody in the 1950s. It has a three-blade main rotor, and a two-blade tail rotor. The helicopter has an entirely metal frame and cockpit, and windows made of Plexiglas. It was the first and the only Czechoslovak-designed helicopter to be produced.[2]

Design and development

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The HC-2 was designed by a team working at Aero Vodochody led by engineer Jaroslav Šlechta, building on experience gained in the design of Šlechta's earlier Praga XE-II prototype.[3][4] Construction of the prototype began in 1951, and testing commenced in 1954. The first flight occurred on December 3, 1954,[1] and the helicopter was introduced to the public in 1955 at the Brno Industries Fair.[5] Production was slated to begin in 1957, however, engine problems delayed it.

An initial order of 200 of these helicopters was announced.[6] The Czechoslovak Air Force was a user of the HC-2, as was the Czechoslovak People's Army. The Heli Baby was capable of carrying a pilot and 100 kg (220 lb) of cargo over a distance of 100 km (62 mi), while using 22.0 L (4.85 imp gal) gallons of fuel.[7] In 1959, it was one of the world's lightest two-seated helicopters.[8] Initially powered by an 83 hp (62 kW) Praga DH engine, the more powerful 105 hp (78 kW) Avia M 110H engine, designed specifically for use in helicopters, replaced it after approximately six years.[9][10] The Heli Baby can be used for transport, training, and various "other duties in military and civil service".[11] Cargo space is situated behind the helicopter's two seats. The non-retractable undercarriage has three wheels in a tricycle configuration.

Variants

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HC-2
Prototypes and initial production, powered by 62 kW (83 hp) Praga DH engine.[12]
HC-102
Revised version, powered by 85 kW (114 hp) Avia M 110H engine.[12]
HC-202
Proposed version powered by uprated (103 kW (138 hp) M 110H engine. Unbuilt.[13]

Operators

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 Czechoslovakia

Specifications (HC-102)

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Data from Se Značkou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby[12]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 2.57 m (8 ft 5 in)
  • Empty weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Avia M 110H 4-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, 85 kW (114 hp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
  • Main rotor area: 60.83 m2 (654.8 sq ft)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
  • Range: 175 km (109 mi, 94 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 3,750 m (12,300 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 3.40 m/s (669 ft/min)
  • Hover ceiling: 420 m (1,380 ft)

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aero HC-2 Heli Baby.
Notes
  1. ^ a b "Vrtulník HC 2 (VR-2) Heli Baby". Národní technické muzeum (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  2. ^ Taylor, John William Ransom (1968). Helicopters and VTOL aircraft. Doubleday.
  3. ^ Beněs, Soukup & Sviták Letectví + Kosmonautika 1976. No. 9, p. 354.
  4. ^ Lambermont & Pirie 1970, p. 35.
  5. ^ Baur 1959, p. 64.
  6. ^ Bridgman & Taylor 1959, p. 112.
  7. ^ Flight International 27 May 1960, p. 714.
  8. ^ Flight International 15 May 1959, p. 22.
  9. ^ Taylor 1966, pp. 478–479.
  10. ^ Flight International 7 June 1962, p. 894.
  11. ^ Underwood 1961, p. 23.
  12. ^ a b c d e Letectví + Kosmonautika 1993 No. 22, p. 1483.
  13. ^ Beněs, Soukup & Sviták Letectví + Kosmonautika 1976. No. 12, pp. 474–475.
Bibliography
  • Baur, E. (January 1959). "A Visit to the Czechoslovak Aircraft Industry". Interavia. Vol. XIV, no. 1. pp. 63–66.
  • Beneš, Ladislav. (In Czech) Československé vrtulníky známé i neznámé. Votobia, 1998. ISBN 978-80-7198-326-2
  • Beněs, Ladislav; Soukup, Oldřich; Sviták, Pavel (1976). "Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů" [Helicopters of our Constructors]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 52, no. 9. pp. 354–355.
  • Beněs, Ladislav; Soukup, Oldřich; Sviták, Pavel (1976). "Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů" [Helicopters of our Constructors]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 52, no. 10. pp. 394–395.
  • Beněs, Ladislav; Soukup, Oldřich; Sviták, Pavel (1976). "Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů" [Helicopters of our Constructors]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 52, no. 11. pp. 434–435.
  • Beněs, Ladislav; Soukup, Oldřich; Sviták, Pavel (1976). "Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů" [Helicopters of our Constructors]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 52, no. 12. pp. 474–475.
  • Bridgman, Leonard; Taylor, John W. R. (1959). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1959-60. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
  • "Helicopters of the World". Flight International. Vol. 75, no. 2625. 15 May 1959. pp. 679–698.
  • "Helicopters of the World". Flight International. Vol. 77, no. 2672. 27 May 1960. pp. 711–718, 725–730.
  • Lambermont, Paul; Pirie, Anthony (1970). Helicopters & Autogyros of the World (Second ed.). London: Cassell & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-304-93390-2.
  • "Se Značou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby" [With the Zlin Badge: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 69, no. 22. 1993. p. 1483. ISSN 0024-1156.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1966). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
  • Volejník, Jiří (1993). "Se značou ZLIN..." [With the Zlin Badge]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 69, no. 4. pp. 61–62. ISSN 0024-1156.
  • "VTOL: A "Flight International" Survey". Flight International. Vol. 81, no. 2778. 7 June 1962. pp. 891–909.
  • Underwood, John W., ed. (1961). World Aircraft Illustrated. Los Angeles: Aero Publishers.
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