Engineering:Bratukhin B-5

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Bratukhin B-5
Bratukhin B-5.jpg
Bratukhin B-5 conducting a test flight
Role Transport helicopter
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Bratukhin
First flight 1947
Number built 1 (B-5)
1 (B-9)
1 (B-10)
Variants Bratukhin B-11

The Bratukhin B-5 was a prototype Soviet twin-rotor transport helicopter designed by the Bratukhin aircraft design bureau.[1]

Development

The B-5 was an improved and larger design based on the bureau's earlier G-4, 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] The programme was delayed waiting for appropriate engines and the B-5 was not completed until 1947, it only made a few short hops before the programme was abandoned due to vibration and structural flexing.[1][2]

An air ambulance variant, the Bratukhin B-9 was built but was abandoned without being flown.[2][3] Another variant was the Bratukhin B-10 which had uprated 575 hp (429 kW) engines and was modified for use in the artillery observation role with the military designation VNP (Vosdushnii Nabludatelnii Punk - Aerial Observation Point).[2] The B-10 had three-seat for the crew, the cabin could hold three passengers or equipment. The B-10 flew in 1947 but although it did not have the wing stiffness problems of the B-54, demonstrating adequate handling like the B-5 and B-9 was also abandoned.[2][3] A variant with an improved performance was built as the Bratukhin B-11.[2]

Variants

B-5
Prototype, one built.
B-9
Prototype air ambulance variant, one built.
B-10
Prototype observation and reconnaissance variant, one built.

Specifications (B-10)

Data from [4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 3 or additional equipment
  • Empty weight: 3,019 kg (6,656 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,900 kg (8,598 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Ivchenko AI-26GVF) radial piston engine, 429 kW (575 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 2× 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 218 km/h (135 mph, 118 kn)
  • Range: 440 km (270 mi, 240 nmi)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Orbis 1985, p. 839
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Nemecek 1986, pp. 385-386
  3. 3.0 3.1 Gunston 1995, p.64.
  4. Nemecek 1986, pp. 438-439

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875 - 1995. London: Osprey Aerospace. ISBN 1-85532-405-9. 
  • 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.