The Bell XH-15 (Bell Model 54) was an American two-seat utility helicopter designed and built by Bell Helicopter, to meet a requirement for a liaison and utility helicopter for the United States Army and United States Air Force.

XR-15/XH-15
Role Four-seat utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight 1948
Status Canceled
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 3

Development

edit

The Model 54 was a conventional pod-and-boom four-seat helicopter with wheeled, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a single 275 hp Continental XO-470-5 piston engine located in the rear cabin, driving a single two-bladed rotor. The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) ordered three in February 1946 as the XR-15. The first flight was made in March 1948 with the new designation XH-15, but no orders were forthcoming following evaluation by the United States Air Force (USAF) and the project ended in 1950.

Variants

edit
XR-15
Military designation for three Model 54s ordered for evaluation.[1]
XH-15
XR-15 redesignated before delivery.[1]

Operators

edit
  United States

Specifications

edit

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three
  • Length: 27 ft 10 in (8.49 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.68 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,795 lb (1,268 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental XO-470-5 piston engine, 475 hp (354 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 110 mph (170 km/h, 92 kn)
  • Range: 200 mi (320 km, 170 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

See also

edit

Related lists

References

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b Andrade 1979, p. 162

Bibliography

edit
  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.