The Omega BS-12 was a utility helicopter with high ground clearance designed to carry loads behind the cabin at, or near, the center of gravity.[1] It was one of the early twin engine designs to be developed, and had a unique pod-and-boom style design similar to the later Sikorsky S-60
The manufacturer went bankrupt before it entered full production, even though the prototypes were successfully completed with some order after being certified.
The design is noted for pioneering twin-engine utility helicopter design for a variety of commercial uses.[2]
Design & development
Bernard Sznycer, designer of the Sznycer SG-VI, the first helicopter certified in Canada, set up the Omega Aircraft Corporation, based at New Bedford, Massachusetts in December 1953, with himself as President and Chief Designer of the company.[3][4] Omega's first design was a twin-engined flying crane / utility helicopter, intended to be inexpensive to produce and relatively cheap to operate.[3][5]
The helicopter was of conventional layout, with a single four-bladed lift rotor and a two bladed anti-torque rotor. Its fuselage was of pod-and-boom layout, with a small enclosed crew cabin forward connected to an uncovered steel tube tail boom. Cargo, either a slung load or in a pre-loaded pod, could be carried between the crew cabin and the undercarriage mainwheels, while it was planned to also provide a pod to carry passengers. It was powered by twin piston engines mounted horizontally on either side of the main gearbox.[3][6][7]
Operational history
The first example made its maiden flight on December 29, 1956.[3] The type was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in April 1961.[3] Omega planned to build an initial batch of 25 BS-12-D-1s, which were priced at $77,500, with production gradually building up from one per month.[8] Although Omega received orders for several BS-12s following certification, shortages of funds stopped production, and Omega entered into bankruptcy in July 1962.[9] Omega was purchased by the Aeronautical Research and Development Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts, with the intention of putting the BS-12 into production as the ADRC/Omega RD-400.[10]
Variants
BS-12
Initial prototype powered by 2x 210hp (156.60kW)Franklin 6AS-335 engines, one built (c/n 156).
BS-12B
Revised BS-12, one built (c/n 1001).
BS-12D-1
Five-seat passenger cabin, powered by 2x 260hp (193.88kW)Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engines, two built (c/n 1002 & 1003).
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