![]() One of the reasons for exceptional Soviet helicopter development works was the need to move giant missiles to far off missile launch sites away from the eyes of Western spy planes more efficiently. In 1971, the Soviet Union demonstrated the monster at the Paris Airshow, astonishing witnesses who saw a helicopter with its rotors and vertical capabilities crossed with the look of an airliner. Resembling a giant tube with long airplane-like wings each tipped with monster sized rotor blades, the beastly twin rotor whirlybird dwarfed many planes. The rotors each spanned just 220 feet across. Weighing just over seventy six US tons and designed to fly at 150 miles per hour, the largest helicopter in world history remains unsurpassed. First flying in 1968, just before the entire project was canceled, the pre-Cold War Soviet Union’s Mil V-12 project was constructed as a transporter with a range of 621 miles and a carrying capacity of one 196 passengers, or a huge load of military cargo. Just how big can a helicopter get? Larger than you imagined, rivaling jet airliners while barely remaining identifiable to the casual eye as a horrifically overgrown helicopter. The helicopter also has been set up for use on aircraft carriers and even fitted out to carry missiles. The machines were produced primarily in Germany and Canada, with uses ranging from military to police service as well as in the famed upside down and barrel rolling airshow demos. The machine can climb at 1,575 feet per minute, and cruise at 150 miles per hour under the power of two 420 standard horsepower Rolls Royce engines. The hingeless rotor built from solid titanium is just one great distinguisher of this engineering marvel. Thanks to the capabilities of the Bo 105 as the first ever helicopter to achieve these things, the flight envelope and perceived utility of the helicopter as a machine was revolutionized. That’s right, this super powerful helicopter can do barrel rolls, loops, and fly inverted like the most extreme stunt planes thanks to its incredible design. The machine was also new as the first light helicopter to fly with twin engines. The iconic steed of Red Bull pilots Chuck Aaron and successor Aaron Fitzgerald, the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 was a revolutionary contribution to rotary aviation from Germany that stands out as the world’s first aerobatic helicopter. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |