World War 1 Helicopter
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World War 1 Helicopter
I have recently been given a model of a PKZ-2 Austro-Hungarian observation helicopter.
According to the qaintly translated history that came with the kit, it was built to replace observation balloons as it would be more reliable and dangerous! The last bit I think was badly translated although looking at the model probably accurate.
It was powered initially by three 100hp Gnome rotaries but by April 1918 these had been replaced by more powerful Le Rhones turning two contra rotating rotor blades. The observer sat in a sort of crows nest positioned above the rotors and was optimistically provided with a parachute. Three winches attached to tethers controlled the ascent and descent.
Apparently it was flown manned and unmanned a number of times but was cancelled in June 1918 because of stablility problems.
PKZ was the initials of its designer(s) Petrochy Karman Zurovec.
Any relation to Karman of later co-axial rotor fame I wonder?
Anyone know any more details?
According to the qaintly translated history that came with the kit, it was built to replace observation balloons as it would be more reliable and dangerous! The last bit I think was badly translated although looking at the model probably accurate.
It was powered initially by three 100hp Gnome rotaries but by April 1918 these had been replaced by more powerful Le Rhones turning two contra rotating rotor blades. The observer sat in a sort of crows nest positioned above the rotors and was optimistically provided with a parachute. Three winches attached to tethers controlled the ascent and descent.
Apparently it was flown manned and unmanned a number of times but was cancelled in June 1918 because of stablility problems.
PKZ was the initials of its designer(s) Petrochy Karman Zurovec.
Any relation to Karman of later co-axial rotor fame I wonder?
Anyone know any more details?
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I know this is a model, but just to emphasise the precarious nature of the pilots position (some may say suicidal):
On second thoughts didn't Focke Wulf have a similar configuration for the Triebflugel?
On second thoughts didn't Focke Wulf have a similar configuration for the Triebflugel?
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Kitbag.
Similar, but streamlined. Attached link shows an animation of the FW Triebflugel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqqQ48KFXJE
Similar, but streamlined. Attached link shows an animation of the FW Triebflugel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqqQ48KFXJE
On one of the web sites it notes the observer was provided with a parachute. Hhmm? Option - plummet to earth with the helicopter - or dive into the still spinning blades. Nice.
