Saunders-Roe Skeeter | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Royaume-uni |
| Rôle | Formateur, Scout |
| Première mouche | 10 octobre 1948 |
| Construit | Inconnu |
Lla Saunders-Roe Skeeter était un hélicoptère biplace d’entraînement et de reconnaissance qui a été développé et produit par le fabricant britannique Saunders-Roe (« Saro ») of Cowes and Southampton, in the United Kingdom. Work on what would become the Skeeter had been commenced by the Cierva Autogiro Company as the Cierva W.14. Following Saunders-Roe’s reprise de Cierva, il a été décidé de poursuivre ses projets, y compris le Skeeter. Malgré une préférence initiale pour l’hélicoptère ultra-léger rival Fairey, qui avait déjà été commandé, il y a eu un renversement de fortune lorsque l’intérêt de la Bundeswehr pour l’achat potentiel d’un grand nombre de Skeeters. Cela a conduit à l’annulation de la commande britannique pour l’hélicoptère ultra-léger et au Skeeter prenant effectivement sa place, ce qui a également servi à garantir une commande à l’exportation de l’Allemagne.
| Saunders-Roe Skeeter Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Meindert de Vreeze |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 46 |
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General Characteristics and Role
The Saunders-Roe Skeeter was a small, two-seat British helicopter developed for reconnaissance, air observation post (AOP), and pilot training roles. Initially designed by the Cierva Autogiro Company, the project was taken over by Saunders-Roe (Saro) in 1951. It was the first British-designed helicopter to receive a Certificate of Airworthiness and enter production in a substantial number. The Skeeter saw service with the British Army Air Corps (AAC) as a light utility and training aircraft and was also adopted by the German Army Aviation Corps and the Royal Navy for training. It was later developed into the more successful Westland Scout/Wasp line after Saro’s helicopter interests were acquired by Westland Aircraft in 1960.
| Property | Typical Value (Skeeter 6/AOP.12) |
|---|---|
| Rôle | Light Utility, Observation, Trainer Helicopter |
| National Origin | Royaume-Uni |
| Fabricant | Saunders-Roe (Saro) |
| First Flight | 8 October 1948 (as Cierva W.14) |
| Crew | 2 (Pilot and Observer/Trainee) |
| Length (Fuselage) | 8.53 m (28 ft 0 in) |
| Main Rotor Diameter | 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 2.92 m (9 ft 7 in) |
| Empty Weight | 732 kg (1,614 lb) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) |
Powerplant and Performance
- Engine: 1 x de Havilland Gipsy Major 215 four-cylinder inverted air-cooled engine.
- Power Output: 160 kW (215 hp).
- Rotor System: 3-bladed main rotor.
- Maximum Speed: 164 km/h (102 mph; 89 kn).
- Cruise Speed: 104 km/h (65 mph; 56 kn).
- Range: 370 km (230 mi; 200 nmi).
- Service Ceiling: 3,960 m (13,000 ft).
Service and Legacy
- Service Life: Used primarily by the British Army Air Corps for training and light observation duties starting in the late 1950s.
- International Use: Exported to the German Army (Heer) as the Skeeter Mk 50 and the German Navy (Marine) as the Skeeter Mk 51.
- Successor: The knowledge gained from the Skeeter program directly informed the development of the highly successful Westland Scout and Westland Wasp helicopters.
- Training Role: Served as the basic rotorcraft trainer before pilots transitioned to larger helicopters like the Westland Whirlwind.
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