Agusta-Bell AB.102

The Agusta AB.102 was an Italian helicopter produced in small numbers in the early 1960s. The aircraft was based on the mechanical components of a Bell 48 that Agusta incorporated into an all-new, streamlined fuselage. The first flight was on 3 February 1959 and the prototype was exhibited at that year's Paris Air Show in faux military colours. Only two production examples were built, operated by Elivie in a regular air service between Turin and Milan from 1961. However, the advent of turbine-powered helicopters in the 1960s soon rendered the AB.102 obsolete.

AB.102
Role Utility helicopter
Manufacturer Agusta
First flight 3 February 1959
Introduction 1961
Primary user Elivie
Number built 3
Developed from Bell 48

Operators
 Italy

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity:
    • 7–9 passengers or
    • 4 stretchers and 1 attendant or
    • 880 kg (1,940 lb) cargo
  • Length: 12.73 m (41 ft 9 in) (fuselage length); Overall length 17.92 m (58 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.23 m (10 ft 7 in)
  • Empty weight: 1,810 kg (3,990 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,725 kg (6,008 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,025 kg (6,669 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S1H4 radial engine, 450 kW (600 hp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.50 m (47 ft 7 in)
  • Main rotor area: 165.1 m2 (1,777 sq ft)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 174 km/h (108 mph, 94 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn) at 600 m (1,970 ft) (best range speed)
  • Range: 350 km (220 mi, 190 nmi) with 7 passengers and 115 kg (254 lb) baggage
  • Endurance: 3 hr 20 min
  • Service ceiling: 3,900 m (12,800 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 5.6 m/s (1,100 ft/min)

See also

Related development

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Agusta AB.102.
  1. "WORLD AIRLINE SURVEY 1963". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  2. "World Helicopter Market 1967". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. Taylor 1961, p. 98.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1961). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 40.
  • Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 36.
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