Template:Infobox Aircraft The Bell HSL (Model 61) was a American 1950s ASW helicopter built by Bell Helicopter company, the only tandem rotor design designed by Bell.
Development
On 4 March 1953 the prototype Bell Model 61 first flew, it had been designed to meet a United States Navy requirement for a ant-submarine warfare helicopter. In June 1950 the Model 61 was announced as the winner of the competion, three XHS-1 evaluation aircraft were ordered. The Model 61 was had a rectangular-section fuselage structure and a four-wheel landing gear. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine mounted in the aft fuselage. Crew included two pilots and two sonar operators.
Service test resulted in an order for 78 aircraft designated HSL-1, with 18 intended for the British Royal Navy. Subsequently only 50 were built and none were delivered to the Royal Navy.
Operational history
The first aircraft entered service with the United States Navy Squadron HU-1 in January 1957. Limited performance meant that the aircraft did not remain in service for long.
Variants
- XHSL-1
- three Model 61s for evaluation.
- HSL-1
- production version, 50 built.
Operators
Specifications (HSL-1)
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General characteristics
- Crew: 4
Performance
External link
References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Andrade (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designation and Serials since 1909. Leicester, England. ISBN 0 904597 22 9.
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