Jump to content

Bensen B-10

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
B-10 Propcopter
Role Experimental VTOL aircraft
National origin USA
Manufacturer Bensen Aircraft
Designer Igor Bensen
First flight 6 August 1958
Number built 1

The Bensen B-10 Propcopter was an unconventional VTOL aircraft developed by Igor Bensen in the United States in the late 1950s. The pilot sat astride a beam that had an engine mounted at either end of it, each driving a rotor to provide lift. Each of these rotors was surrounded by a system of four pivotable vanes to direct its downwash, and linked to a control stick for the pilot, this provided control of the craft. Only a single prototype (registered N56U) was built.

Specifications

[edit]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Powerplant: 2 × McCulloch piston engines , 72 hp (54 kW) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 2 × 4 ft 0 in (1.20 m)

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
  • 1000aircraftphotos.com B-10 Prop-Copter VTOL aircraft
  • Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 210.
  • Hirschberg, Michael J. (2000). The American Helicopter. pp. 30–31.