Aero HC-2 Heli Baby explained
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.[1]
Design and development
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. Construction of the prototype began in 1951, and testing commenced in 1954. The first flight occurred on December 3, 1954, and the helicopter was introduced to the public in 1955 at the Brno Industries Fair. Production was slated to begin in 1957, however, engine problems delayed it.
An initial order of 200 of these helicopters was announced. 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 220order=flipNaNorder=flip of cargo over a distance of 62order=flipNaNorder=flip, while using 4.85order=flipNaNorder=flip gallons of fuel. In 1959, it was one of the world's lightest two-seated helicopters. Initially powered by an 830NaN0 Praga DH engine, the more powerful 1050NaN0 Avia M 110H engine, designed specifically for use in helicopters, replaced it after approximately six years. The Heli Baby can be used for transport, training, and various "other duties in military and civil service". Cargo space is situated behind the helicopter's two seats. The non-retractable undercarriage has three wheels in a tricycle configuration.
Variants
- HC-2
Prototypes and initial production, powered by 62kW Praga DH engine.
- HC-102
Revised version, powered by 85kW Avia M 110H engine.
- HC-202
Proposed version powered by uprated (103kW M 110H engine. Unbuilt.Operators
References
- Notes
Bibliography
- Baur . E. . A Visit to the Czechoslovak Aircraft Industry . . January 1959 . XIV . 1 . 63–66.
- Beneš, Ladislav. (In Czech) Československé vrtulníky známé i neznámé. Votobia, 1998.
- Beněs . Ladislav . Soukup . Oldřich . Sviták . Pavel . Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů . Helicopters of our Constructors . Letectví + Kosmonautika . 1976 . 52 . 9 . 354–355 . cs . .
- Beněs . Ladislav . Soukup . Oldřich . Sviták . Pavel . Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů . Helicopters of our Constructors . Letectví + Kosmonautika . 1976 . 52 . 10 . 394–395 . cs . .
- Beněs . Ladislav . Soukup . Oldřich . Sviták . Pavel . Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů . Helicopters of our Constructors . Letectví + Kosmonautika . 1976 . 52 . 11 . 434–435 . cs . .
- Beněs . Ladislav . Soukup . Oldřich . Sviták . Pavel . Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů . Helicopters of our Constructors . Letectví + Kosmonautika . 1976 . 52 . 12 . 474–475 . cs . .
- Book: Bridgman . Leonard . Leonard Bridgman . Taylor . John W. R. . John W. R. Taylor . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1959-60 . 1959 . London . Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd..
- Helicopters of the World . . 15 May 1959 . 75 . 2625 . 679–698 . .
- Helicopters of the World . Flight International . 27 May 1960 . 77 . 2672 . 711–718, 725–730 . .
- Book: Lambermont . Paul . Pirie . Anthony . Helicopters & Autogyros of the World . Second . 1970 . London . Cassell & Company Ltd . 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 . 1993 . 69 . 22 . 1483 . cs . 0024-1156 . .
- Book: Taylor, John W. R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–67 . 1966 . London . Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd..
- Volejník . Jiří . Se značou ZLIN... . With the Zlin Badge . Letectví + Kosmonautika . 1993 . 69 . 4 . 61–62 . cs . 0024-1156.
- VTOL: A "Flight International" Survey . Flight International . 7 June 1962 . 81 . 2778 . 891–909 . .
- Book: Underwood . John W. . World Aircraft Illustrated . 1961 . Los Angeles . Aero Publishers.
Notes and References
- Book: Taylor, John William Ransom. Helicopters and VTOL aircraft. 1968. Doubleday.
