Bensen B-10
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bensen B-10 Propcopter was an unconventional VTOL aircraft developed by Igor Bensen in the United States in the late 1950s. The pilot sat astride a beam that had an engine mounted at either end of it, each driving a rotor to provide lift. Each of these rotors was surrounded by a system of four pivotable vanes to direct its downwash, and linked to a control stick for the pilot, this provided control of the craft. Only a single prototype (registered N56U) was built.
| B-10 Propcopter | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental VTOL aircraft |
| National origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Bensen Aircraft |
| Designer | |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 6 August 1958 |
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Powerplant: 2 × McCulloch piston engines , 72 hp (54 kW) each
- Main rotor diameter: 2 × 4 ft 0 in (1.20 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- 1000aircraftphotos.com B-10 Prop-Copter VTOL aircraft
- Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 210.
- Hirschberg, Michael J. (2000). The American Helicopter. pp. 30–31.