The S-55 model helicopter was the first successful transport/cargo helicopter. It was used extensively by the US military in both Korea and Southeast Asia and was designated the UH-19. It is of an all-metal-pod-and boom construction, has a quadricycle wheeled landing gear, and is powered by a single Pratt and Whitney nine cyclinder radial engine rated at 700 hp. The engine is linked to the gear drive of the three-blade main rotor by a long extension shaft, and is easily accessible via two large clamshell doors. The innovative arrangement of the powerplant and drivetrain allows the placement of a large and unobstructed box-like passenger/cargo cabin directly below the rotor, ensuring that loads of varying sizes and composition would not adversely affect the aircrafts center of gravity.
The S-55 two-man cockpit is placed above and slightly forward of the passenger/cargo cabin, with the seats placed on either side of the drive shaft, and offering excellent visibility to the front and sides. The aircraft's high set tailboom carries a vertical tailplane on which a two-blade anti-torque tail rotor is mounted and is faired into the rear of the fuselage by triangular fin. The FRI S-55 has an external cargo suspension unit and is instrumented for basic performance and flying qualities.
| Specifications:
Rotor Diameter: 52 ft, 11.8 in |
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