Saunders Helicogyre
The Saunders Helicogyre was a 1920s experimental helicopter designed by Vittorio Isacco and built by S.E. Saunders Limited for the British Air Ministry.[1]
| Helicogyre | |
|---|---|
| Role | Experimental Helicopter |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | S.E. Saunders Limited |
| Designer | Vittorio Isacco |
| Number built | 1 |
Design and development
Vittorio Isacco designed and built four different Helicogyre experimental helicopters between 1926 and 1935. In 1928 Air Ministry Specification 2/28 was issued to S.E Saunders for a prototype helicopter to the Helicogyre No. 3 design.[1]
The Helicogyre had a conventional 1920s tractor aircraft fuselage and main landing gear but had an extended tailskid to keep the fuselage horizontal.[1] At the front of the fuselage was a 100 hp (75 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Genet piston engine.[1] Behind the cockpit was a braced post on which was fitted a four-bladed rotor, each rotor blade was fitted with a 32 hp (24 kW) Bristol Cherub piston engine at the tip.[1]
The Helicogyre serial number K1171 was completed in 1929 and delivered to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough by road.[1] It was tested in the Balloon Shed,[2] but ground tests were not completed and the programme was cancelled on 30 December 1931 without the Helicogyre having flown.[1]
Operators
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saunders-Roe. |
- Notes
- Meekcoms/Morgan 1994, p. 131
- "Saunders Roe Skeeter" Flight 1956 p355
- Bibliography
- Meekcoms, K J; Morgan, E B (1994). The British Aircraft Specification File. Tonbridge, Kent, England: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-220-3.
- London, Peter (1988). Saunders and Saro Aircraft since 1917. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-814-3.