Engineering:Nagler NH-160
| Nagler NH-160 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Nagler Helicopter Company |
| Designer | Bruno Nagler |
| First flight | December 1955 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Nagler NH-160 was an experimental single seat helicopter with counter-rotating blades.[1]
Design and development
Bruno Nagler began wind tunnel experiments into helicopter design in 1926 and developed the first practical swash plate. The Nagler NH-120 was developed to test the idea of counteracting rotor torque with a small separate rotor. The engine was mounted above the main rotor on a shaft, and the anti-torque rotor was mounted above both. The NH-160 had a conventional helicopter engine and rotor layout, with the exception of the smaller anti-torque rotor mounted under the fuselage between the landing skids.[2] Yaw control on both was effected through changing the difference in rotational speed between the two rotors, using a series of disc brakes. A small tail surface provided directional stability in forward flight. The smaller rotor would spin at a higher rpm, with about 60 percent of the load,. the main rotor being adjustable for lift control.
The NH-160 proved to be much more stable in tests than the NH-120 which had a higher center of gravity.
Variants
- NH-120
- Helicopter with engine mounted above rotor with a counter-torque rotor mounted above the engine.[3]
- NH-170
- An enclosed two-seat side-by-side design with a shrouded lower counter-torque rotor.
Specifications (Nagler NH-160)
Data from Sport Aviation
General characteristics
- Capacity: one
- Gross weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × McCullough Model 4318 , 72 hp (54 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 2× 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Main rotor area: 314 sq ft (29.2 m2) Lower rotor 8ft 3 blades
Performance
- Cruise speed: 104 kn (119 mph, 192 km/h)
See also
Related development
- XNH I Heliglider
- Convertocrapt 130
- Nagler HC-1 Heligyro
- Nagler VG1 Vertigyro
References
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