Borgward hummingbird
| Borgward hummingbird | |
|---|---|
 Large model (s) of the Borgward-Focke BFK-1 Kolibri in the scale 1: 4.6 in the helicopter museum in Bückeburg |
|
| Type: | Multipurpose helicopter |
| Design country: |
Federal Republic of Germany |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
July 8, 1958 |
| Number of pieces: |
2 prototypes |
The Borgward-Focke BFK-1 "Kolibri" was a three-seat multi-purpose helicopter made by Carl FW Borgward GmbH Automobil- und Motoren-Werke in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück.
history
The Kolibri was designed by Professor Henrich Focke and was the first type of helicopter developed independently in Germany after the Second World War . The first flight of the prototype known as Kolibri I took place on July 8, 1958. A second airworthy copy was built, which already had the full fairing of the fuselage intended for series production. However, it cannot be proven whether this machine actually flown. Only two prototypes were built and development was abandoned after Borgward went bankrupt in 1961.
construction
The structural design of the Kolibri with a tubular steel lattice hull was conventional. The fuselage of the prototype was not disguised, but this should be changed in the series version. The tail boom carried a V-tail unit at the end, at the two tips of which a propeller should produce the torque compensation. The main rotor had three blades with a steel tube as a core, which was clad with plywood for shaping.
The drive consisted of an air-cooled 6-cylinder boxer engine Lycoming VO-435-A1B with an output of 191 kW (260 hp). The fuel tank with a capacity of 180 l was located behind a firewall.
Instead of two passengers, it should alternatively be possible to transport a stretcher outside and inside. It was also planned to use the machine for spraying in agriculture. The external load capacity was 300 kg.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| Passengers | 2 |
| Hull length | 8.30 m |
| Main rotor diameter | 9.40 m |
| Tail rotor diameter | 1.66 m |
| height | 3.05 m |
| Empty mass | 800 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 1200 kg |
| Cruising speed | 140 km / h |
| Top speed | 160 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 4500 m |
| Max. Floating height | 600 m |
| Engine | an air-cooled six - cylinder boxer Lycoming VO-435-A1B ; 191 kW (260 hp) |
Whereabouts
The two helicopters were used by the Bremen airport fire brigade for training purposes and were largely destroyed in the process. Parts of the two machines are exhibited in the helicopter museum in Bückeburg .
See also
literature
- Harald Focke: Borgwards helicopter . Carl B. - Car history (s), Volume 4. Verlag Peter Kurz, Bremen 2014, ISBN 978-3-927485-84-6 .
- William Green: The Observer's World Aircraft Directory , 1961, 142
- Henrich Focke: My way of life , 1977
Web links
- Description and photo on www.aviastar.org
- Large model (s) of the Borgward-Focke BFK-1 Kolibri in the scale 1: 4.6 in the helicopter museum in Bückeburg
Individual evidence
- ↑ Photo of the second prototype
- ↑ Use for fire brigade exercises (PDF; 3.4 MB)