Kawasaki KH-4
| KH-4 | |
|---|---|
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| |
| A KH-4 at Glen Helen NT Australia. | |
| Role | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| First flight | August Template:Avyear |
| Number built | 211 |
| Developed from | Bell 47 |
The Kawasaki KH-4 was a light utility helicopter produced in Japan in the 1960s as a development of the Bell 47 that Kawasaki had been building under licence since 1952. The most visible difference between the KH-4 and its forerunner was its new and enlarged cabin. This was fully enclosed (although the side doors were removable) and provided seating for three passengers side-by-side on a bench seat behind the pilot's seat. The helicopter was provided with a new control system, revised instrumentation, and larger fuel tank.
A total of 211 KH-4s were built, including four that were modified from existing Bell 47Gs. The vast majority of these were bought by civil operators, although some were purchased by the military forces of Japan and Thailand.[citation needed]
Operators
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force - 14[1]
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force[2]
- Maritime Safety Agency - six[3]
Specifications
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Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 3 passengers
Performance
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ Andrade 1982, pp. 133-134
- ^ "Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578". flight. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Andrade 1982, p. 137
- ^ "Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 581". flight. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Taylor 1966, p.105.
- Andrade, John (1982). Militair 1982. London: Aviation Press Limited.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1966). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 557.
- Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. pp. 123–25.