Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter

Last updated
Hobbycopter
HobbyCopter, Adam-Wilson Helicopters, Inc., Lakewood, California - Oregon Air and Space Museum - Eugene, Oregon - DSC09715.jpg
HobbyCopter in the Oregon Air and Space Museum
RoleSingle seat homebuilt helicopter
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Vortech
DesignerAdams-Wilson
First flightNovember 1958
Variants A-B Helicopters A/W 95
Vortech A/W 95
Showers Skytwister Choppy

The Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter (later named the Adams-Wilson Choppy) is a small, single-seat, open-framework helicopter designed for homebuilding, to be powered by a motorcycle engine.

Contents

Design and development

The Adams-Wilson company was formed by T.G. Adams and Paul Wilson to market plans for a simple single-seat helicopter named the HobbyCopter, of which they have built a prototype. This prototype flew successfully for the first time in November 1958. Plans were first marketed in 1958 and have been revised and revived by various designers over the years.

The Hobbycopter, (also colloquially known as the Flying Triumph), was designed to use commonly found materials that were readily available to customers. The Hobbycopter was designed to use a motorcycle engine of about 50 hp (37 kW) and a variety engines have been used, including a snowmobile motor and more recently, an ultralight 2-cycle Rotax 503 engine developing 52 hp (39 kW).

The aircraft is available in the form of plans and some key parts for amateur construction from Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. [1]

Variants

Hobbycopter XH-1
The prototype of the one-man open framework homebuilt helicopter powered by a 34 hp (25 kW) Triumph motorcycle engine.
Hobbycopter 101
Production version of the XH-1 offered as a kit for $900, or as plans for $35 to homebuilders.
Hobbycopter 102
Strengthened Model 101 with 34 hp (25 kW) Triumph and a fibre-glass cockpit enclosure.

Specifications (Hobbycopter 101)

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas XH-1 Alpha</span> Type of aircraft

The Atlas XH-1 Alpha is a prototype attack helicopter built by Atlas Aviation of South Africa, which used it as a concept demonstrator for the then-planned Rooivalk project.

The A-B Helicopters A/W 95 is an American helicopter, produced by A-B Helicopters in the form of plans for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiller YH-32 Hornet</span> American ultralight helicopter

The Hiller YH-32 Hornet was an American ultralight helicopter built by Hiller Aircraft in the early 1950s. It was a small and unique design because it was powered by two Hiller 8RJ2B ramjet engines mounted on the rotor blade tips which weigh 13 lb (5.9 kg) each and deliver an equivalent of 45 hp (34 kW) for a total of 90 hp (67 kW). Versions of the HJ-1 Hornet were built for the United States Army and the United States Navy in the early 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hughes XH-17</span> Type of aircraft

The Hughes XH-17 "Flying Crane" was the first helicopter project for the helicopter division of Hughes Aircraft Company. The XH-17, which had a two-bladed main rotor system with a diameter of 134 feet, still holds the world record for flying with the largest rotor system. It was capable of flying at a gross weight of more than 50,000 pounds (23,000 kg), but proved too inefficient and cumbersome to be mass-produced beyond the prototype unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agusta A.101</span> Type of aircraft

The Agusta A.101 was a large prototype transport helicopter developed in Italy during the 1960s. Despite prospective orders from the Italian armed forces, no buyers emerged and the project was abandoned in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell H-12</span> Type of aircraft

The Bell R-12 was an American 1940s military utility helicopter built by the Bell Helicopter company. The design did not go into full production, but over a dozen prototypes were used for various tests and projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firestone XR-9</span> 1940s American experimental helicopter

The Firestone XR-9, also known by the company designation Model 45, was a 1940s American experimental helicopter built by the Firestone Aircraft Company for the United States Army Air Forces. Only two were built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyrodyne RON Rotorcycle</span> Experimental US Navy & Marine Corps helicopter

The Gyrodyne RON Rotorcycle was a tiny, single-seat helicopter designed under contract for the United States Navy. in the mid-1950s. It later was redesigned for a U.S. Marine Corps requirement for a small personal helicopter that would fulfill an array of roles, including observation, liaison, small unit tactical maneuvers, and which could be dropped to downed airmen behind enemy lines to facilitate their escape.

The Bensen B-9 Little Zipster was a small helicopter developed by Igor Bensen in the United States in the 1950s and marketed for home building. Similar in general configuration to Bensen's previous rotor kite and autogyro designs, it consisted of an open aluminum framework but substituted the autorotating main rotor for a coaxial, counter-rotating system of two, two-bladed rotors. A large tailfin provided directional stability, and the aircraft was controlled by a handlebar system extending over the pilot's head to the rotor hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier Do 32</span> Type of aircraft

The Dornier Do 32E was a simple, collapsible one-man helicopter, designed for military use in Germany in the 1960s. Despite initial hopes of large orders and some proposed civilian roles, only three flew.

The Vortech G-1, also called the Compcop G-1, is an American helicopter that was designed in the 1970s. Plans for amateur construction were originally supplied by Compcop and today are provided by Vortech.

The Kinney HRH is an American helicopter that was designed by Robert Kinney and produced by Vortech, Inc in the form of plans for amateur construction. The aircraft was first shown at Sun 'n Fun in 2002.

The Vortech Skylark is an American helicopter produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. The aircraft is supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplies rotor blades for the design.

The Vortech A/W 95 is an American helicopter that was designed by Adams-Wilson as the Adams-Wilson Choppy and now produced in an improved version by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. The aircraft is supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplies rotor blades and other key parts for the design.

The Vortech Shadow is an American autogyro that was designed by Tyler Flight, Inc. and produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. The aircraft is supplied as a kit and also in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplies rotor blades for the design.

The Vortech Sparrow is an American autogyro that was produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplied rotor blades and some key parts for the design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vortech Meg-2XH Strap-On</span> American homebuilt helicopter

The Vortech Meg-2XH Strap-On is an American helicopter that was designed and produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit and also in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplied rotor blades for the design.

The Midwest Zodiac Talon-Turbine is an American helicopter that was designed and produced by Midwest Engineering & Design of Overland Park, Kansas. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction, but the plans are no longer advertised for sale.

The Showers Skytwister Choppy is an American helicopter that was produced by Showers-Aero of Milton, Pennsylvania, introduced in 1992. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of CAD plans for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiller XH-44</span> American experimental helicopter

The Hiller XH-44 Hiller-Copter is an American experimental helicopter designed by Stanley Hiller.

References

  1. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851