Сондерс-Роу Скитер — Фото и видео

Teh Сондерс-Роу Скитер was a two-seat training and scout helicopter that was developed and produced by British manufacturer 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 take over of Cierva, it was decided to continue its projects, including the Skeeter. Despite an initial preference for the rival Fairey Ultra-light Helicopter, which had already been ordered, there was a reversal of fortune when interest from the Bundeswehr in the potential procurement of a large number of Skeeters. This led to the British order for the Ultra-light Helicopter being cancelled and the Skeeter effectively taking its place, which also served to guarantee an export order from Germany.

Источник: Сондерс-Роу Скитер в Википедии

Teh Сондерс-Роу Скитер was a light helicopter developed by the British company Saunders-Roe in the 1950s. It was designed to meet the requirements of the British Army and Royal Navy for a small, versatile aircraft that could perform reconnaissance, liaison, observation, and training missions. The Skeeter had a two-seat cockpit with a bubble canopy that provided excellent visibility for the pilot and passenger. The helicopter was powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine that drove a three-bladed main rotor and a two-bladed tail rotor. The Skeeter had a tubular steel frame with fabric-covered metal panels for the fuselage and tail boom. The landing gear consisted of two skids with shock absorbers.
Skeeter впервые поднялся в воздух в 1948 году как Saro P.531 и претерпел несколько модификаций и улучшений на протяжении многих лет. Окончательный вариант, Skeeter Mk.12, поступил на вооружение британской армии в 1958 году, а также экспортировался в Германию, Австралию и Иорданию. Skeeter использовался для различных задач, таких как корректировка артиллерии, эвакуация раненых, противотанковая война и аэрофотосъемка. Skeeter также был первым вертолетом, совершившим посадку на движущийся корабль, когда он приземлился на HMS Bulwark в 1958 году. Skeeter был снят с вооружения в конце 1960-х годов и заменен более совершенными вертолетами, такими как Westland Scout и Bell Sioux.