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The SG-VI-D did not go into production and Sznycer started a new company, Allied Aero Industries, in the USA to develop and build the Omega BS-12 utility helicopter. This had a flying crane layout, with a forward four-seat crew pod and an open tubular rear fuselage and fixed tricycle undercarriage. A metal cargo box could be suspended beneath the fuselage mid-section. The BS-12 (N267B) used two 210hp Franklin engines positioned end-to-end above the rear fuselage. The prototype flew on 29 October 1956, and was followed by a revised version - the BS-12B (N290B). The Omega design was progressively upgraded with detail design changes, notably to the cabin pod and to the engines. The BS-12D-1 (N285B) had two 260hp Lycoming O-540 engines and a five-seat cabin. The second BS-12D-1 (N286B) was fitted with supercharged Franklin 6AS-335 engines and redesignated BS-12D-3. In 1960, the investors backing the Omega designs withdrew support and further development was terminated. R.Simpson "Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft", 1998
Technical data for Omega SB-12
Rotor diameter: 11.89m,
fuselage length: 11.12m,
height: 3.96m,
weight empty: 1338kg,
gross weight: 1905kg,
max speed: 138km/h,
service ceiling: 3450m,
range: 250km
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Philcammack@att.net, 04.12.2010 | reply |
I worked on this aircraft during its flight testing and FAA certification.
More later if interested. | Wayne Schober, e-mail, 16.12.2007 | reply |
I own an Air & Space 18A Gyroplane. It is FAA Certified Normal Category 2-place tandem, with a gross weight of 1800 lbs. It uses a Lycoming O-360 and the same rotorhead design as the OMEGA, but with three blades. It is a wonderful performer and the rotor head is robust enough for a ship twice the weight. The rotor blades are 17 ft. and use a Bell 47 pattern with a stainless leading edge cuff. It has geared power transmission to the rotor head for pre-rotation. It will lift off vertically on a standard day at gross weight, no wind. The rotorhead is the key to this robust and easy to fly rotorcraft. |
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