Aero HC-2 Heli Baby

Aero HC-2 Heli Baby

HC-2 in flight
Role	Light helicopter Type of aircraft
National origin	Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer	Aero Vodochody
Designer	Jaroslav Šlechta
First flight	December 3, 1954
Introduction	1955
Produced	1958-1962^[1]
Number built	23 (including 2 prototypes)

The Aero HC-2 Heli Baby is a two-seat general-purpose light utility helicopter, designed by engineer Jaroslav Šlechta, and produced by the Czechoslovak company Aero Vodochody in the 1950s. It has a three-blade main rotor, and a two-blade tail rotor. The helicopter has an entirely metal frame and cockpit, and windows made of Plexiglas. It was the first and the only Czechoslovak-designed helicopter to be produced.^[2]

Design and development

The helicopter was designed by engineer Jaroslav Šlechta.^[3] Construction of the prototype began in 1951, and testing commenced in 1954. The first flight occurred on December 3, 1954,^[1] and the helicopter was introduced to the public in 1955 at the Brno Industries Fair.^[4] Production was slated to begin in 1957, however, engine problems delayed it.

An initial order of 200 of these helicopters was announced.^[5] The Czechoslovak Air Force was a user of the HC-2, as was the Czechoslovak People's Army. The Heli Baby was capable of carrying a pilot and 100 kg (220 lb) of cargo over a distance of 100 km (62 mi), while using 22.0 L (4.85 imp gal) gallons of fuel.^[6] In 1959, it was one of the world's lightest two-seated helicopters.^[7] Initially powered by an 83 hp (62 kW) Praga DH engine, the more powerful 105 hp (78 kW) Avia M 110H engine, designed specifically for use in helicopters, replaced it after approximately six years.^[8]^[9] The Heli Baby can be used for transport, training, and various "other duties in military and civil service".^[10] Cargo space is situated behind the helicopter's two seats. The non-retractable undercarriage has three wheels in a tricycle configuration.

Variants

HC-2: Prototypes and initial production, powered by 62 kW (83 hp) Praga DH engine.^[11]
HC-102: Revised version, powered by 85 kW (114 hp) Avia M 110H engine.^[11]

Operators

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovak People's Army^[11]
Svazarm^[11]

Specifications (HC-102)

Data from Se Značkou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby^[11]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 1 passenger
Length: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.57 m (8 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Avia M 110H 4-cylinder air-cooled piston engine, 85 kW (114 hp)
Main rotor diameter: 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
Main rotor area: 60.83 m² (654.8 sq ft)

Performance

Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
Range: 175 km (109 mi, 94 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,750 m (12,300 ft)
Rate of climb: 3.40 m/s (669 ft/min)
Hover ceiling: 420 m (1,380 ft)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aero HC-2 Heli Baby.

Notes

^ ^a ^b "Vrtulník HC 2 (VR-2) Heli Baby". Národní technické muzeum (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
^ Taylor, John William Ransom (1968). Helicopters and VTOL aircraft. Doubleday.
^ Lambermont & Pirie 1970, p. 35.
^ Baur 1959, p. 64.
^ Bridgman & Taylor 1959, p. 112.
^ Flight International 27 May 1960, p. 714.
^ Flight International 15 May 1959, p. 22.
^ Taylor 1966, pp. 478–479.
^ Flight International 7 June 1962, p. 894.
^ Underwood 1961, p. 23.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Letectví + Kosmonautika 1993 No. 22, p. 1483.

Bibliography

Baur, E. (January 1959). "A Visit to the Czechoslovak Aircraft Industry". Interavia. Vol. XIV, no. 1. pp. 63–66.
Beneš, Ladislav. (In Czech) Československé vrtulníky známé i neznámé. Votobia, 1998. ISBN 978-80-7198-326-2.
Bridgman, Leonard; Taylor, John W. R. (1959). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1959-60. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
"Helicopters of the World". Flight International. Vol. 75, no. 2625. 15 May 1959. pp. 679–698.
"Helicopters of the World". Flight International. Vol. 77, no. 2672. 27 May 1960. pp. 711–718, 725–730.
Lambermont, Paul; Pirie, Anthony (1970). Helicopters & Autogyros of the World (Second ed.). London: Cassell & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-304-93390-2.
"Se Značou Zlin: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby" [With the Zlin Badge: Zlin HC-2/HC-102 Heli Baby]. Letectví + Kosmonautika (in Czech). Vol. 69, no. 22. 1993. p. 1483. ISSN 0024-1156.
Taylor, John W. R. (1966). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
"VTOL: A "Flight International" Survey". Flight International. Vol. 81, no. 2778. 7 June 1962. pp. 891–909.
Underwood, John W., ed. (1961). World Aircraft Illustrated. Los Angeles: Aero Publishers.