Kawasaki KH-4

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KH-4
Kawasaki KH-4 VH-JAJ (enhanced) (cropped).jpg
A KH-4 at Glen Helen NT Australia.
Role Utility helicopter
National originJapan
Manufacturer Kawasaki
First flightAugust 1962 [1]
Number built211
Developed from Bell 47

The Kawasaki KH-4 was a light utility helicopter produced in Japan in the 1960s as a development of the Bell 47 that Kawasaki had been building under licence since 1952. The most visible difference between the KH-4 and its forerunner was its new and enlarged cabin. This was fully enclosed (although the side doors were removable[ citation needed ]) and provided seating for three passengers side-by-side on a bench seat behind the pilot's seat. The helicopter was provided with a new control system, revised instrumentation, and larger fuel tank. [2]

Contents

A total of 211 KH-4s were built, including four that were modified from existing Bell 47Gs. The vast majority of these were bought by civil operators, although some were purchased by the military forces of Japan and Thailand. [2]

Operators

Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand

Specifications

An Australian registered KH-4 in 2010. Kawasaki KH-4 VH-JAJ close-up (cropped).jpg
An Australian registered KH-4 in 2010.

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67 [7]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. Simpson 1998, p. 125
  2. 1 2 Simpson 1998 , p. 123
  3. Andrade 1982 , pp. 133–134
  4. Stroud 1971 , p. 578
  5. Andrade 1982 , p. 137
  6. Stroud 1971 , p. 581
  7. Taylor 1966, p. 105