Bratukhin B-11

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B-11
Bratukhin B-11 top-view silhouette.png
Top view of a B-11.
General information
TypeTransport helicopter
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Bratukhin
Number built2
History
First flight1948

The Bratukhin B-11 was a prototype Soviet twin-rotor transport helicopter and the last design of the Bratukhin aircraft design bureau to be built. [1]

Contents

Development

The B-11 was similar to the design bureau's earlier B-5, a twin-rotor helicopter, with each rotor driven by an Ivchenko AI-26 radial engine. [1] Each engine was housed in a pod on an outrigger with the related rotor above. [1] Designed for a 1947 air force design competition for a general-purpose helicopter. Two prototypes were built and flown in June 1948, test flights showed a problem with rotor-blade stall at high speed and high resonant vibrations in the whole helicopter. [2] In August 1948 the first prototype was grounded for investigation, but limited testing carried on with the second to find the causes of the problems. [2]

On 13 December 1948 a blade on the right-hand rotor of the second prototype broke, and the subsequent crash killed the two crew. [2] The prototype was then re-designed and re-built to overcome the problems, but when flying resumed in 1949 the stall occurred again. [2] Bratukhin further modified the helicopter in May 1950 with new rotor blades, but development was soon abandoned, and soon after the design bureau was closed down.

Specifications

Data from [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Orbis 1985, p. 839
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nemecek 1986, pp. 386-387

Bibliography

  • Nemecek, Vaclav (1986). The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918. London: Willow Books. ISBN   0-00-218033-2.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.