PZL SM-4 Łątka
SM-4 Łątka | |
---|---|
Role | Light utility helicopter |
National origin | Poland |
Manufacturer | WSK Świdnik |
Designer | Jerzy Kotlinski |
First flight | Not flown |
Status | Abandoned |
Number built | 1 |
The PZL SM-4 Łątka (Polish: Dragonfly) was a prototype three-seat helicopter of the 1960s, developed by WSK PZL-Świdnik in Poland. Of largely conventional design and construction, a single prototype was built, but was not flown as a result of engine problems.
Design and development
In 1960, a design team led by Jerzy Kotliński at the Polish WSK PZL-Świdnik factory began work on a new short-range light helicopter, which was given the designation SM-4 Łątka.[1][2] WSK PZL-Świdnik had previously license-built Soviet Mil Mi-1 helicopters, designated SM-1, starting in 1955. They had also designed and built the PZL SM-2 derivative of the Mi-1; the SM-4 was the first completely original aircraft design to be developed by them.[1][2]
The Łątka was designed as a three-seat, single-engined helicopter of conventional layout. It was equipped with a single three-bladed
A single prototype of the SM-4 was completed; the helicopter was used to carry out ground tests, but it never flew as the WN-06S engine failed to receive clearance for flight operations, and the program was abandoned.[2][4]
Specifications (performance estimated)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 2 passengers
- Empty weight: 660 kg (1,455 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Narkiewicz WN-6S air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Main rotor area: 78.5 m2 (845 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 115 km/h (71 mph, 62 kn)
- Range: 300 km (190 mi, 160 nmi) with maximum fuel
- Service ceiling: 3,300 m (10,800 ft)
- Rate of climb: 4.4 m/s (870 ft/min)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Aérospatiale Alouette II
- Bell 47J Ranger
- Hiller OH-23 Raven
- TH-55 Osage/Hughes 269
- Hughes/Schweizer 300
References
- Citations
- ^ a b Taylor 1966, p. 116.
- ^ a b c "Projekty Śmigłowców WSK-Świdnik" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Polska Technika Lotnicza: Materiały Historyczne. 16 October 2005.
- ^ a b Taylor 1966, p. 117.
- ^ "PZL-Swidnik History - Helicopter Design". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- Bibliography
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1966.
Further reading
- Glass, A. Konstrukcje lotnicze Polski Ludowej. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Komunikacji i Łączności, 1965.