Aero HC-2 Heli Baby: Difference between revisions

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
Number built	23 (including 2 prototypes)

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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

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

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

Czechoslovakia

Specifications (HC-102)

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

Notes

^ ^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.
^ Taylor, John William Ransom (1968). Helicopters and VTOL aircraft. Doubleday.
^ Beněs, Soukup & Sviták Letectví + Kosmonautika 1976. No. 9, p. 354.
^ Lambermont & Pirie 1970, p. 35.
^ Baur 1959, p. 64.
^ Bridgman & Taylor 1959, p. 112.
^ Flight International 27 May 1960, p. 714.
^ Flight International 15 May 1959, p. 22.
^ Taylor 1966, pp. 478–479.
^ Flight International 7 June 1962, p. 894.
^ Underwood 1961, p. 23.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Letectví + Kosmonautika 1993 No. 22, p. 1483.
^ 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.

[ntm-1] "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.

[FOOTNOTEBeněs,_Soukup_&_Sviták_''Letectví_+_Kosmonautika''_1976._No._9354-3] Beněs, Soukup & Sviták Letectví + Kosmonautika 1976. No. 9, p. 354.

[FOOTNOTELambermontPirie197035-4] Lambermont & Pirie 1970, p. 35.

[FOOTNOTEBaur195964-5] Baur 1959, p. 64.

[FOOTNOTEBridgmanTaylor1959112-6] Bridgman & Taylor 1959, p. 112.

[FOOTNOTE''Flight_International''_27_May_1960714-7] Flight International 27 May 1960, p. 714.

[FOOTNOTE''Flight_International''_15_May_195922-8] Flight International 15 May 1959, p. 22.

[FOOTNOTETaylor1966478–479-9] Taylor 1966, pp. 478–479.

[FOOTNOTE''Flight_International''_7_June_1962894-10] Flight International 7 June 1962, p. 894.

[FOOTNOTEUnderwood196123-11] Underwood 1961, p. 23.

[FOOTNOTE''Letectví_+_Kosmonautika''_1993_No._221483-12] Letectví + Kosmonautika 1993 No. 22, p. 1483.

[FOOTNOTEBeněs,_Soukup_&_Sviták_''Letectví_+_Kosmonautika''_1976._No._12474–475-13] Beněs, Soukup & Sviták Letectví + Kosmonautika 1976. No. 12, pp. 474–475.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 |primary user   = <!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
 |more users     = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users).  Separate users with <br/>. -->
-|produced       = 1958-1962<ref>{{cite web |title=Vrtulník HC 2 (VR-2) Heli Baby |url=http://www.ntm.cz/heslar/heli-baby |website=Národní technické muzeum |language=cs |access-date=2018-09-30 |archive-date=2018-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115943/http://www.ntm.cz/heslar/heli-baby |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+|produced       = 1958-1962<ref name="ntm">{{cite web |title=Vrtulník HC 2 (VR-2) Heli Baby |url=http://www.ntm.cz/heslar/heli-baby |website=Národní technické muzeum |language=cs |access-date=2018-09-30 |archive-date=2018-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115943/http://www.ntm.cz/heslar/heli-baby |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 |number built   = 23 (including 2 prototypes)
 |program cost   = <!--Total program cost-->
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ==Design and development==
-The helicopter was designed by engineer Jaroslav Šlechta.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lambermont|first=Paul Marcel|title=Helicopters and autogyros of the world|year=1970|publisher=Barnes|author2=Anthony Pirie|page=35}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal|last=International Aeronautic Federation|title=Interavia|year=1959|volume=14|publisher=Interavia|page=64}}</ref> Production was slated to begin in 1957, however, engine problems delayed it.
+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.{{sfn|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 9|p=354}}{{sfn|Lambermont|Pirie|1970|p=35}} Construction of the prototype began in 1951, and testing commenced in 1954. The first flight occurred on December 3, 1954,<ref name="ntm"/> and the helicopter was introduced to the public in 1955 at the Brno Industries Fair.{{sfn|Baur|1959|p=64}} Production was slated to begin in 1957, however, engine problems delayed it.
-An initial order of 200 of these helicopters was announced.{{sfn|Bridgman|Taylor|1959|p=112}} The Czechoslovak Air Force was a user of the HC-2, as was the Czechoslovak People's Army. The Heli Baby is capable of carrying a pilot and 220 pounds of cargo at the speed of 62 mph, while using 4.85 gallons of fuel.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Flight International|year=1960|volume=77|author=United Service and Royal Aero Club (Great Britain) and Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom|page=714|publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd.}}</ref> In 1959, it was one of the world's lightest two-seated helicopters.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Flight International|year=1959|volume=75|author=United Service and Royal Aero Club (Great Britain) and Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom|page=683|publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd.}}</ref> Initially powered by an {{convert|83|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Praga DH engine, the more powerful {{convert|105|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Avia M 110H engine, designed specifically for use in helicopters, replaced it after approximately six years.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jane|first=Frederick Thomas|title=Jane's all the world's aircraft|year=1966|publisher=S. Low Marston & company|page=478}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Flight International|year=1962|volume=81|author=United Service and Royal Aero Club (Great Britain) and Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom|page=894|publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd.}}</ref> The Heli Baby can be used for transport, training, and various "other duties in military and civil service".<ref>{{cite journal|title=none|journal=World Aircraft Illustrated|year=1961|volume=1|editor1-first=John W.|editor1-last=Underwood|publisher=Aero Publishers}}</ref> Cargo space is situated behind the helicopter's two seats. The non-retractable undercarriage has three wheels in a tricycle configuration.
+An initial order of 200 of these helicopters was announced.{{sfn|Bridgman|Taylor|1959|p=112}} 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 {{convert|220|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} of cargo over a distance of {{convert|62|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}}, while using {{convert|4.85|impgal|L|order=flip|abbr=on}} gallons of fuel.{{sfn|''Flight International'' 27 May 1960|p=714}} In 1959, it was one of the world's lightest two-seated helicopters.{{sfn|''Flight International'' 15 May 1959|p=22}} Initially powered by an {{convert|83|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Praga DH engine, the more powerful {{convert|105|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Avia M 110H engine, designed specifically for use in helicopters, replaced it after approximately six years.{{sfn|Taylor|1966|pp=478–479}}{{sfn|''Flight International'' 7 June 1962|p=894}} The Heli Baby can be used for transport, training, and various "other duties in military and civil service".{{sfn|Underwood|1961|p=23}} 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 {{convert|62|kW|hp|abbr=on}} [[Praga DH]] engine.{{sfn|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22|p=1483}}
+;HC-102
+: Revised version, powered by {{convert|85|kW|hp|abbr=on}} Avia M 110H engine.{{sfn|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22|p=1483}}
+;HC-202
+: Proposed version powered by uprated ({{convert|103|kW|hp|abbr=on}} M 110H engine. Unbuilt.{{sfn|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 12|pp=474–475}}
 ==Operators==
 ;{{CZS}}
+*[[Czechoslovak People's Army]]{{sfn|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22|p=1483}}
-*[[Czechoslovakian Air Force|Czechoslovak Air Force]]
+*[[Svazarm]]{{sfn|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22|p=1483}}
-==Specifications==
+==Specifications (HC-102)==
 {{Aircraft specs
 |prime units?=met
+|ref=Se Značkou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby{{sfn|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22|p=1483}}
 <!--
         General characteristics
 -->
 |crew=1
-|capacity=1 passenger or 220 lbs. payload
+|capacity=1 passenger
-|length m=10.5
+|length m=10.50
-|height m=2.3
+|height m=2.57
-|empty weight kg=370
+|empty weight kg=450
-|gross weight kg=585
+|gross weight kg=
-|max takeoff weight kg=580
+|max takeoff weight kg=680
 <!--
         Powerplant
 -->
 |eng1 number=1
-|eng1 name=[[Praga DH]]
+|eng1 name=[[Avia M 110H]]
-|eng1 type=four-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed
+|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled piston engine
-|eng1 hp=83
+|eng1 kw=85
-|eng1 note=<br/>
+|eng1 note=
-::or 1x [[Avia M 110H]] 4-cylinder air-cooled piston engine rated at {{convert|78.3|kW|hp|abbr=on|0}}
-|rot number=3
+|rot number=1
-|rot dia m=8.8
+|rot dia m=8.80
 |rot area sqm=60.83
 <!--
@@ Line 65: / Line 74: @@
 -->
-|max speed kmh=126
+|max speed kmh=120
 |cruise speed kmh=100
-|range km=150
+|range km=175
-|ceiling m=3030
+|ceiling m=3750
+|climb rate ms=3.40
+|more performance=*'''Hover ceiling:''' {{convert|420|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 }}
@@ Line 76: / Line 87: @@
 {{reflist}}
 ;Bibliography
+* {{cite magazine |last=Baur |first=E. |title=A Visit to the Czechoslovak Aircraft Industry |magazine=[[Interavia (magazine)|Interavia]] |date=January 1959 |volume=XIV |issue=1 |pages=63–66}}
-*Beneš, Ladislav. (In Czech) ''Československé vrtulníky známé i neznámé''. Votobia, 1998. {{ISBN|978-80-7198-326-2}}.
+*Beneš, Ladislav. (In Czech) ''Československé vrtulníky známé i neznámé''. Votobia, 1998. {{ISBN|978-80-7198-326-2}}
-* {{cite book |last1=Bridgman |first1=Leonard |author1-link=Leonard Bridgman |last2=Taylor |first2=John W. R. |author2-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1959-60 |year=1959 |location=London |publisher=Sampson Low,  Marston & Company, Ltd.}}
+* {{cite magazine |last1=Beněs |first1=Ladislav |last2=Soukup |first2=Oldřich |last3=Sviták |first3=Pavel |title=Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů |trans-title=Helicopters of our Constructors |magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1976 |volume=52 |issue=9 |pages=354–355 |language=cs |ref={{harvid|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 9}} }}
+* {{cite magazine |last1=Beněs |first1=Ladislav |last2=Soukup |first2=Oldřich |last3=Sviták |first3=Pavel |title=Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů |trans-title=Helicopters of our Constructors |magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1976 |volume=52 |issue=10 |pages=394–395 |language=cs |ref={{harvid|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 10}} }}
+* {{cite magazine |last1=Beněs |first1=Ladislav |last2=Soukup |first2=Oldřich |last3=Sviták |first3=Pavel |title=Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů |trans-title=Helicopters of our Constructors |magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1976 |volume=52 |issue=11 |pages=434–435 |language=cs |ref={{harvid|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 11}} }}
+* {{cite magazine |last1=Beněs |first1=Ladislav |last2=Soukup |first2=Oldřich |last3=Sviták |first3=Pavel |title=Vrtilníky Našich Konstruktérů |trans-title=Helicopters of our Constructors |magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1976 |volume=52 |issue=12 |pages=474–475 |language=cs |ref={{harvid|Beněs, Soukup & Sviták ''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1976. No. 12}} }}
+* {{cite book |last1=Bridgman |first1=Leonard |author1-link=Leonard Bridgman |last2=Taylor |first2=John W. R. |author2-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1959-60 |year=1959 |location=London |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.}}
 * {{cite magazine |title=Helicopters of the World |magazine=[[Flight International]] |date=15 May 1959 |volume=75 |issue=2625 |pages=679–698 |ref={{harvid|''Flight International'' 15 May 1959}} }}
+* {{cite magazine |title=Helicopters of the World |magazine=Flight International |date=27 May 1960 |volume=77 |issue=2672 |pages=711–718, 725–730 |ref={{harvid|''Flight International'' 27 May 1960}} }}
+* {{cite book |last1=Lambermont |first1=Paul |last2=Pirie |first2=Anthony |title=Helicopters & Autogyros of the World |edition=Second |year=1970 |location=London |publisher=Cassell & Company Ltd |isbn=0-304-93390-2}}
+* {{cite magazine |title=Se Značou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby |trans-title=With the Zlin Badge: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby|magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1993 |volume=69 |issue=22 |page=1483 |language=cs |issn=0024-1156 |ref={{harvid|''Letectví + Kosmonautika'' 1993 No. 22}}}}
+* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–67 |year=1966 |location=London |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.}}
+* {{cite magazine |last=Volejník |first=Jiří |title=Se značou ZLIN... |trans-title=With the Zlin Badge |magazine=Letectví + Kosmonautika |year=1993 |volume=69 |issue=4 |pages=61–62 |language=cs |issn=0024-1156}}
+* {{cite magazine |title=VTOL: A "Flight International" Survey |magazine=Flight International |date=7 June 1962 |volume=81 |issue=2778 |pages=891–909 |ref={{harvid|''Flight International'' 7 June 1962}} }}
+* {{cite book |editor-last=Underwood |editor-first=John W. |title=World Aircraft Illustrated |year=1961 |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Aero Publishers}}
 {{Aero Vodochody aircraft}}
 {{Czech helicopters}}

v t e Aero Vodochody/Aero aircraft
1919-1938	Ae 01 Ae 02 Ae 03 Ae 04 Ae 10 A.8 A.10 A.11 A.12 A.14 A.15 A.17 A.18 A.19 A.20 A.21 A.22 A.23 A.24 A.25 A.26 A.27 A.29 A.30 A.32 A.34 A.35 A.38 A.42 A.46 A.100 A.101 A.102 A.104 A.125 A.130 A.134 A.200 A.204 A.230 A.300 A.304 A.330 A.430
1945-1992	Ae 45 Ae 50 Ae 145 Ae 245 Ae 345 HC-2 HC-3 L-29 L-39 L-59 L-60
1993-present	L-39NG L-159 Ae 270
Under licence	DH.50A C-3 C-103 D-44 MB.200