Sznycer Omega BS-12 1951 |
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
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