Omega BS-12

Omega BS-12
Role Helicopter
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Omega Aircraft Corp, Allied Aero Industries, ADRC
Designer Bernard W Sznycer
First flight 29 October 1956
Introduction 1958
Number built at least 4
Unit cost
$7500 in 1958[1]
Developed from Sznycer SG-VI-E (aka Sznycer-Gottlieb SG-VI)

The Omega BS-12 was a utility helicopter with high ground clearance designed to carry loads behind the cabin at, or near, the center of gravity.[2]

Design & development

After qualified success with his Sznycer SG-VI-D and SG-VI-E single-engined helicopters, Bernard Sznycer expanded his concepts to produce a flying crane / utility helicopter, intended to be inexpensive to produce and relatively cheap to operate. Sznycer designed the BS-12 as a cargo or flying crane helicopter with optional passenger accommodation and licensed development and production to the Omega Aircraft Corp.[3] Powered by twin piston engines mounted horizontally on either side of the main gearbox the BS-12 was designed to be safe in an emergency for single-engined flight even at high gross weights. Accommodation in the flying crane version was for four, (later 5 in the BS-12D), including flight crew, which could be augmented by an underslung passenger cabin.

Operational history

The first example was tested in 1956. By 1960 the program was canceled.

Variants

BS-12
Initial prototype powered by 2x 210 hp (156.60 kW) Franklin 6AS-335 engines, one built (c/n 156).
BS-12B
Revised BS-12, one built (c/n 1001).
BS-12D-1
Five-seat passenger cabin, powered by 2x 260 hp (193.88 kW) Lycoming O-540-FlB5 engines, two built (c/n 1002 & 1003).
BS-12D-3
The second BS-12D-1 powered by 2x supercharged Franklin 6AS-335 engines.[4]
BS-12F
Projected turboshaft powered version, 2x Allison T63 or Boeing 502-W turbines.
BS-12J
Projected improved hot-high and single-engined performance, powered by 2x 290 hp (216.25 kW) Lycoming IO-540 engines.
BS-14 Falcon
Projected emergency services version, with longer cabin, powered by 2x 260 hp (193.88 kW) Lycoming O-540 or 290 hp (216.25 kW) Lycoming IO-540 engines.
BS-17A Airliner
Projected enlarged passenger cabin version to have been powered by 3x Allison or Boeing turboshaft engines driving a 5-bladed main rotor

Specifications (BS-12)

Data from Popular Science

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. Flight vol 47. 1958. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Popular Science. June 1958. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. A.C. Bass (August 1961). Flying Magazine: 32. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. R.Simpson (1998). Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft.

Flight vol 47. 1958.  Missing or empty |title= (help)

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