Bratukhin B-5
The Bratukhin B-5 was a prototype Soviet twin-rotor transport helicopter designed by the Bratukhin aircraft design bureau.[1]
| Bratukhin B-5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
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)
References
Notes
- Orbis 1985, p. 839
- Nemecek 1986, pp. 385-386
- Gunston 1995, p.64.
- 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.