Manzolini Libellula
| Libellula | |
|---|---|
| Role | Light experimental helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Manzolini |
| Designer | Ettore Manzolini |
| First flight | 7 January 1952 |
| Number built | 3 |
The Manzolini Libellula was a 1950s Italian co-axial twin-rotor helicopter designed by Ettore Manzolini. "Libellula" is the Italian word for "Dragonfly".
Design and development
Etorre Manzolini established a company in Rome, Italy to develop a helicopter he had designed. The design was the Manzolini Libellula an unusual co-axial helicopter. The co-axial arrangement eliminating the need for an anti-torque rotor allowed the helicopter to have a twin fin arrangement. The Libellula (Registered I-MANZ) first flew on 7 January 1952. An improved version was the single-seat Libellula II which went on to gain Italian certification on 15 October 1962. A three-seater version (the Libellula III) was built and a four-seat Libellula IV was planned but Manzolini stopped development in the late 1960s.
Variants
- Libellula
- Prototype, one built.
- Libellula II
- Prototype single-seat version powered by a 75kW (101hp) Walter Minor 4-III engine, one built.
- Libellula III
- Prototype two-seat version powered by a 104kW (140hp) Walter M 332 engine, one built but not flown.
- Libellula IV
- Proposed four-seat version powered by a 236kW (317shp) Allison 250-CT18 turboshaft, not built.
Specifications (Libellula II)
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General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in)
- Main rotor diameter: 9 m (26 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
- Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
- Gross weight: 650 kg (1,43 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Walter Minor 4-III piston engine, 75 kW (101 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 109 km/h (68 mph)
- Range: 200 km (124 miles)
References
- Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. Pg.123 ISBN 0-517-439352.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
See also
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