Schweizer 434

[andTompkins]

Have I missed a discussion of the Schweizer 434 somewhere? Interested in hearing what you folks know about this bird. I see the Saudi's are buying them, but there is no info on the Schweizer website.

Thanks!

Tompkins

[Hilife]

With a model number of 434 I would think that the 4-bladed head fitted to the MQ-8 Fire Scout is part of the deal. I'm told it will be on display at Heli-Expo 2008.

[TheMonk]

Would this 434 be a redone 333 with four main rotor blades?

Monk

[RotorDompteur]

SOURCE:Flight Daily News
Dubai 2007: Saudis place launch order for new Schweizer Model

A large contract for helicopters for the Saudi Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced at the show included nine Schweizer Model 434s for training. This new designation is used by an updated and improved derivative of the Model 333.

The new aircraft will be based on the existing Model 333 airframe, but will be powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine, which should be certificated in 2008. The 300shp RR300 was designed to power Robinson’s R66. Rolls Royce is reportedly discussing other applications of the new engine with Enstrom, MD Helicopters, and Schweizer.

The Model 434 will use the four-bladed rotor and dynamics developed for the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B FireScout unmanned aerial vehicle. The MQ-8B is a UAV derivative of the Schweizer 333, and was redesigned with a four-blade main rotor after the original Model 333 dynamics and three-blade rotor used on the original RQ-8A proved inadequate.

The 434 is designed to replace older generation Bell 206s, and will compete with the Eurocopter EC120 and Bell 206, and, to an extent with the new five-seat, turbine-powered R66. Before the Saudi order was announced, it was reported that Schweizer had “received a major order from a launch customer in the Middle East” and that the company has more orders in hand.

[Spunk]

Funny, when looking at some pics it looked like a submarine to me:}


http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/systems/mq8bfirescout_navy_assets/photos/hi/n1_28_navair.jpg

[Bravo73]

Yeah, but that must be the world's largest paper aeroplane/dart in the background (to the right). ;)

[Pilot DAR]

I toured the schweizer factory a summer ago, and was told that the rotor system and drivetrain used in the pictured experimental no place helicopter (there really is a seat hidden in it, I saw one there) would be transplanted into an upgraded 333.

Perhaps it has been done....

Pilot DAR

[IFMU]

I toured the schweizer factory a summer ago, and was told that the rotor system and drivetrain used in the pictured experimental no place helicopter (there really is a seat hidden in it, I saw one there) would be transplanted into an upgraded 333.
They do have a manned prototype, see the reference below:
http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=39384
But the real fire scouts have no seats, just equipment in them for unmanned flight.
-- IFMU

[Verbatim03]

Well if its going to look like the 333, which is butt ugly, I don't think it will sell.

[Capt SFB]

Didn't they already do this 40 years ago and call it the model 369 ???

Cheers,
SFB

[A.Agincourt]

Verbatim03 -Well if its going to look like the 333, which is butt ugly, I don't think it will sell.

If the build quality and serviceability rate is anything like the ones I have been made aware of then it definitely should not sell.

Best wishes