| VS-300 |
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| Igor Sikorsky in the VS-300, at the end of 1941 |
| Role |
Experimental |
| Manufacturer |
Vought-Sikorsky |
| Designed by |
Igor Sikorsky |
| First flight |
13 May 1940 |
| Variants |
Sikorsky R-4 |
The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 was a single-engine helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky. It had a single three-blade rotor originally powered by a 75 horsepower (56 kW) engine. The first flight of the VS-300 was on 13 May 1940,[1] powered by a larger, 90 horsepower (67 kW) engine. While not the first successful helicopter to fly, it was the first successful helicopter in the United States and the first successful helicopter to use a single vertical tail rotor configuration for antitorque.
Development
Sikorsky fitted utility floats (also called pontoons) to the VS-300 and performed a water landing and takeoff on 17 April 1941, making it the first practical amphibious helicopter.[2] On 6 May 1941, the VS-300 beat the world endurance record held by the Fw 61 by staying aloft for 1 hour 32 minutes and 26.1 seconds.[1]
Specifications (VS-300)
Data from {name of first source}
General characteristics
- Length: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)
- Rotor diameter: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
- Loaded weight: 1,150 lb (522 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Franklin reciprocating piston engine, 90 hp (67.11 kW)
Performance
See also
Related development
References
- Notes
- ^ a b Munson 1968
- ^ Sikorsky.com Timeline. Retrieved on September 22, 2009.
- Bibliography
- Munson, Kenneth. Helicopters and Other Rotorcraft Since 1907. London: Blandford, 1968. ISBN 0-7137-06104.
External links
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