| Picture |
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| Manufacturer |
Bell
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| Type |
54 / XH-15
|
| Introduced |
3/1/1948
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| In production? |
No
|
| Units produced |
3
|
| Price US $ |
0.00
|
| Overall Length |
44.1 ft
|
| Length |
27.9 ft
|
| Height |
8.8 ft
|
| Width |
0 ft
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Description |
The Bell Model 54 (aka XH-15) was an experimental helicopter built by the American Bell Helicopter company. The Model 54 was created to fulfill a liaison and utility role for the Unites States Army and Air Force. It was an all-metal craft with seating for four. Its design was of the conventional pod-and-boom variety as seen in many other Bell craft. It was powered by a single 275 horsepower (about 200 kW) XO-47-5 Continental engine.The military contract that the X-15 was designed to compete for called for a two-seater design with a single main rotor and a supercharged 260 horsepower engine. The X-15 only got second place in the stakes, beaten by a 100 horsepower design by G & A Aircraft Co (Firestone). However, no examples of the winning design were ever built.In total there were only three helicopters built. These were ordered by the US Air Force in 1946 after USAAF personell advocated for a contract with Bell.The first flight took place in 1948, but since no production orders were forthcoming the project was cancelled in 1950.
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| Advertisement |
|
| Design features |
- Tricycle non-retractable undercarriage
- Metal tube framework
- Aluminium skin
- Two-blade rotor with stabilizer bar
- Supercharged engine
|
|
The Bell Model 54 (aka XH-15) was an experimental helicopter built by the American Bell Helicopter company. The Model 54 was created to fulfill a liaison and utility role for the Unites States Army and Air Force. It was an all-metal craft with seating for four. Its design was of the conventional pod-and-boom variety as seen in many other Bell craft. It was powered by a single 275 horsepower (about 200 kW) XO-47-5 Continental engine.The military contract that the X-15 was designed to compete for called for a two-seater design with a single main rotor and a supercharged 260 horsepower engine. The X-15 only got second place in the stakes, beaten by a 100 horsepower design by G & A Aircraft Co (Firestone). However, no examples of the winning design were ever built.In total there were only three helicopters built. These were ordered by the US Air Force in 1946 after USAAF personell advocated for a contract with Bell.The first flight took place in 1948, but since no production orders were forthcoming the project was cancelled in 1950.
|
|
- Advertisement -
|
Design features:
- Tricycle non-retractable undercarriage
- Metal tube framework
- Aluminium skin
- Two-blade rotor with stabilizer bar
- Supercharged engine
|
| Persons |
4
|
| Max. Range |
199 mi
|
| Cruise Speed |
0 mph
|
| Max. Speed |
110 mph
|
| Max. rate of Climb |
0 ft/min
|
| HOGE ceiling |
0 ft
|
| Service Ceiling |
20000 ft
|
| Gross Weight |
2795 lb
|
| Empty Weigt |
0 lb
|
| Useful Load |
0 lb
|
| Fuel Capacity |
0 gallons
|
| Number of Engines |
1
|
| Engine Type |
Piston
|
| Engine Code |
Continental XO-470-5
|
| Horse Power |
475
|
| Rotorhead |
Teetering
|
| Number of rotorblades |
2
|
| Rotor Diameter |
37.3 ft
|
| Number of tail rotorblades |
2
|
| Tailrotor Diameter |
0 ft
|
|