The Bölkow Bo 103 was a small experimental helicopter flown in Germany in 1961 to research new rotor systems. While the mechanics of the aircraft were based on the Bo 102 captive training rig, the Bo 103 was capable of fully independent flight. In configuration, it was absolutely minimalist - consisting of nothing more than a tubular frame to which the dynamic components and the pilots seat were attached, although a small fibreglass cabin was eventually attached. The aircraft retained the Bo 102's single-rotor of Glass-reinforced plastic, and proved that this was suitable for true flight. The prototype is preserved at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg.
A flying version of the Bo.102,
this was a larger single-seat version. Powered by an Agusta GA V,
four-cylinder, double-piston engine, it first flew on 14 September 1961.
The helicopter still used the Boelkow single, counterbalanced
fibreglass rotor blade. It proved to be very stable, even allowing the
test pilot, Werner Kurze, to perform several seconds of 'hands-off
flight. Although never reaching the production phase, the Bo.102 and Bo.103 were important in the early development of the rigid rotor and composite blades used today.
Single-seat
helicopter built in 1959 with a simple steel tube fuselage, a cockpit
with transparent canopy open at the sides and a two-blade reinforced
fiberglass rotor.
Crew: 1,
engine: 1 x ILO rated at 37kW,
main rotor diameter: 6.57m,
take-off weight: 400kg,
empty weight: 268kg,
max speed: 140km/h,
cruising speed: 114km/h,
range: 450km
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