The Continental Copters El Tomcat was a 1950s American single-seat agricultural helicopter converted from a Bell 47G by Continental Copters of Fort Worth Texas. The first helicopter (the El Tomcat II) first flew in 1959 and was followed by a number of variants.
| El Tomcat | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Agricultural helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Continental Copters |
| First flight | 1959 |
Variants
edit- El Tomcat Mk.II
- Bell 47G-2 modified extensively for agricultural spraying. First flew in April 1959.
- El Tomcat Mk.III
- Improved version of the Mk.II, it first flew in April 1965.
- El Tomcat Mk.IIIA
- Powered by the Franklin 6V4-200, 6V-335, or 6V-350 engines.
- El Tomcat Mk.IIIB
- Featured a modified fiberglass nose with a repositioned windscreen and a lower cabin roof, and was powered by the 235 hp Franklin 6V-350-A. Produced in 1967.
- El Tomcat Mk.IIIC
- Improved version with 200 hp Franklin 6V4-200-C32, 210 hp 6V-335-A, or 235 hp 6V-350-A engines.
- El Tomcat Mk.V
- First flown in June 1968, it was powered by a 220 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1A.
- El Tomcat Mk.V-A
- Powered by a 260 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1F with a foldable jump-seat.
- El Tomcat Mk.V-B
- Powered by a 265 hp Lycoming VO-435-B1A.
Specifications (V-A)
editData from Aircraft World Directory
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
- Height: 2.87 ft 9.5 in (1.116 m)
- Empty weight: 1,375 lb (623 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435 , 260 hp (194 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 1.5 in (11.32 m)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 65 mph (104 km/h, 56 kn)
References
edit- Pelletier, Alain J. (1992). Bell Aircraft since 1935. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-056-8.
See also
edit
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