Sikorsky R-6
The Sikorsky R-6 (factory designation S- 49 or Model 49) was a light two-seat all-metal helicopter of the American Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. In the Royal Air Force ( RAF), the R -6 was designated as Hoverfly II.
Development
The R -6 was a development of the Sikorsky R- 4th In order to achieve a higher speed, the fuselage was completely redesigned, extended and straightened the arm and enlarged the tail rotor. The main rotor and the transmission of R-4 was maintained. Sikorsky awarded the new draft the designation Model 49 Later, the R-6 modifications received for a dynamically balanced rotor better, these were performed by Doman Helicopters Inc.. The new machine was 154 km / h fast, while the earlier version 132 km / h reached.
The prototypes and pre-production models were built by Sikorsky, however, was the production of the production model with Nash - Kelvinator. Some of the helicopter subsequently produced were equipped with more powerful engines.
Commissioning
The first R -6 were at the end of 1944 to the United States Army Air Force ( USAAF) and handed over to the United States Navy (USN ). It was initially provided 150 R -6 to passed to the British RAF, but after delays at the manufacturer Sikorsky in Stratford (Connecticut) production at Nash - Kelvinator in Detroit ( Michigan) was outsourced. So ultimately could only 27 R -6A Hoverfly II to be delivered as the RAF. 15 of which the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm (FAA ) have been delivered. The cost of a HOS -1 of the U.S. Coast Guard amounted to 59 450 U.S. dollars.
Some helicopters of the RAF were the no. Assigned to 657 Squadron to test the suitability of the helicopter for the needs of the Army ( Heer); of these were two piece with external wear are equipped. The no. 657 Squadron continued the Hoverfly II as an air observation post for artillery units of the Army.
The Hoverfly II remained in use until April 1951; one of the RAF specimens was exhibited at the Farnborough Air Show in September 1950.
The FAA used its Hoverfly II in the training and liaison role. Marine units that included 771 Naval Air Squadron, used the type from December 1945, followed by 705 Naval Air Squadron.
When the USAAF R-6 played only a minor role and the remaining copies were redesignated as H- 6A in 1948. The USN R-6 were called HOS -1; another 64 were to be taken over by the USAAF, but what it did not come.
Excess copies of the military Model 49 were sold at the end of the 1940s to civilian operators, from whom but are no longer in operation. Four R-6 are exhibited in American museums.
Variants
A prototype, using a 225 - WPS - motor Franklin O 435-7
Five pre-production models built by Sikorsky; as XR -6 but with a 240 - WPS - motor Franklin O -405 -9, three piece led the U.S. Navy as Xhos -1
As XR -6A but with minor modifications (26 ), produced by Nash Kelvinator
Series model, 219 were built by Nash - Kelvinator; 36 went to the U.S. Navy ( later acquired by U.S. Coast Guard and returned) as HOS -1 and 27 to the RAF as Hoverfly II
Projected variant (not built ) with a 225 - WPS - engine O 435-7.
Projected evolution of the XR -6 payable with a 240 WPS Engine O -405 -9 ( also not built ).
Received copies of the R -6A
( Data from Ogden, 2007)
- Connecticut, New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks 43-45480
- Ohio, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, 43-45379
- Pennsylvania, American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center, West Chester, 43-45531
Military user
- United States 48 United States U.S. Army Air Force
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy