The R-6/Hoverfly II was developed to improve on the successful Sikorsky R-4. In order to enhance performance, a completely new streamlined fuselage was designed and the boom carrying the tail rotor was lengthened and straightened. The main rotor and transmission system of the R-4 were retained.[1] Sikorsky allotted their Model 49 designation to the new design. Later, dynamically balanced modifications to the rotor were carried out by Doman Helicopters Inc. The new aircraft could attain 100 mph (160 km/h) compared with 82 mph (132 km/h) by the earlier design.
Initial production was by Sikorsky, but most examples were built by Nash-Kelvinator. Some of the later aircraft were fitted with more powerful engines.
Operational historyedit
A Sikorsky R-6A transport ferries a wounded soldier from the battlefield during June 1945 in Luzon, Philippines.
The first R-6s were delivered to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in late 1944 and some were transferred to the United States Navy (USN). It was initially intended to pass 150 R-6s to the Royal Air Force (RAF), but delays caused by the switch of production from Sikorsky's factory at Stratford, Connecticut, to Nash-Kelvinator at Detroit, Michigan, meant that only 27 R-6As were actually delivered to the RAF as the Hoverfly II.[2] Fifteen of these were passed on to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA).[3]
Some of the RAF examples were allotted to 657 Squadron RAF for proving the use of helicopters in the Army Co-operation role, and two external stretchers could be fitted to the fuselage. 657 Squadron operated their Hoverfly IIs as Air Observation Posts, spotting for Army artillery units. The Hoverfly IIs remained in operation until April 1951, and one squadron example was displayed at the September 1950 Farnborough Air Show.[4]
The FAA used their Hoverfly IIs in the training and liaison roles. Naval units to use the type included 771 Squadron from December 1945, followed by 705 Squadron.
The USAAF operated their R-6s in secondary roles and the survivors were redesignated H-6A in 1948. The USN examples were designated the HOS-1 and a further 64 were intended to be transferred from the USAAF, but this did not take place.
Disposals of surplus military S-49s were made in the civil market in the late 1940s but none now remain in operation. Four are currently displayed in US museums.[5]
^. American Helicopter Museum & Education Center. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
Bibliographyedit
Butler, Phil (2004). Air Arsenal North America. Midland Publishing. ISBN1-85780-163-6.
Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN978-0-85130-385-7.
Swanborough, F.G. (1963). United States Military Aircraft since 1909. Putnam & Company Ltd.
Thetford, Owen (1976). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918. Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN0-370-10056-5.
Thetford, Owen (1977). British Naval Aircraft since 1912. Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN0-370-30021-1.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky R-6.
Sikorsky S-49/R-6A/HOS-1/Hoverfly Mk II page at the Sikorsky Archives
Sikorsky R-6A page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Data and image of R-6
May 18, 2024
sikorsky, american, light, seat, helicopter, 1940s, royal, force, royal, navy, service, named, hoverfly, hoverfly, hoverfly, flight, role, helicopter, national, origin, united, states, manufacturer, sikorsky, aircraft, first, flight, october, 1943, introductio. The Sikorsky R 6 is an American light two seat helicopter of the 1940s In Royal Air Force and Royal Navy service it was named the Hoverfly II R 6 Hoverfly II R 6A Hoverfly II in flight Role Helicopter National origin United States Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft First flight 15 October 1943 Introduction 1945 Status Retired Primary users United States NavyRoyal Air Force Number built 225 Developed from Sikorsky R 4 Contents 1 Development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Aircraft on display 6 Specifications R 6A 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Notes 8 2 Bibliography 9 External linksDevelopment editThe R 6 Hoverfly II was developed to improve on the successful Sikorsky R 4 In order to enhance performance a completely new streamlined fuselage was designed and the boom carrying the tail rotor was lengthened and straightened The main rotor and transmission system of the R 4 were retained 1 Sikorsky allotted their Model 49 designation to the new design Later dynamically balanced modifications to the rotor were carried out by Doman Helicopters Inc The new aircraft could attain 100 mph 160 km h compared with 82 mph 132 km h by the earlier design Initial production was by Sikorsky but most examples were built by Nash Kelvinator Some of the later aircraft were fitted with more powerful engines Operational history edit nbsp A Sikorsky R 6A transport ferries a wounded soldier from the battlefield during June 1945 in Luzon Philippines The first R 6s were delivered to the United States Army Air Forces USAAF in late 1944 and some were transferred to the United States Navy USN It was initially intended to pass 150 R 6s to the Royal Air Force RAF but delays caused by the switch of production from Sikorsky s factory at Stratford Connecticut to Nash Kelvinator at Detroit Michigan meant that only 27 R 6As were actually delivered to the RAF as the Hoverfly II 2 Fifteen of these were passed on to the Royal Navy s Fleet Air Arm FAA 3 Some of the RAF examples were allotted to 657 Squadron RAF for proving the use of helicopters in the Army Co operation role and two external stretchers could be fitted to the fuselage 657 Squadron operated their Hoverfly IIs as Air Observation Posts spotting for Army artillery units The Hoverfly IIs remained in operation until April 1951 and one squadron example was displayed at the September 1950 Farnborough Air Show 4 The FAA used their Hoverfly IIs in the training and liaison roles Naval units to use the type included 771 Squadron from December 1945 followed by 705 Squadron The USAAF operated their R 6s in secondary roles and the survivors were redesignated H 6A in 1948 The USN examples were designated the HOS 1 and a further 64 were intended to be transferred from the USAAF but this did not take place Disposals of surplus military S 49s were made in the civil market in the late 1940s but none now remain in operation Four are currently displayed in US museums 5 Variants edit nbsp A U S Navy HOS 1 in January 1947 nbsp An R 6A Hoverfly II at the U S Air Force National Museum XR 6 prototype powered by a 225 hp 168 kW Lycoming O 435 7 one XR 6A as XR 6 but powered by the 240 hp 180 kW Franklin O 405 9 five of which three to the US Navy as XHOS 1 YR 6A as XR 6A with small changes 26 built by Nash Kelvinator R 6A production model 193 built by Nash Kelvinator of which 36 to US Navy as HOS 1 and 27 to the RAF as Hoverfly II R 6B projected variant with 225 hp 168 kW Lycoming O 435 7 but not proceeded with XR 7 projected development of the XR 6 with a 240 hp 180 kW Franklin O 405 9 engine not built Doman LZ 1 One R 6A modified as a testbed Doman LZ 1A One R 6A modified as a testbed with a Doman designed hingeless rotor blades and self lubricating rotor hub Operators edit nbsp United Kingdom Royal Air Force 6 nbsp United States United States Army Air Forces 6 162nd Liaison Squadron United States Air Force 72d Liaison Squadron 7 United States Coast Guard 6 United States Navy 6 nbsp Mexico Mexican Air ForceAircraft on display edit43 45462 R 6A on static display at the Museo Militar de Aviacion in Santa Lucia Air Force Base Num 1 8 43 45473 R 6A on static display at the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel near Ozark Alabama 9 43 45379 R 6A on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton Ohio 10 43 45480 LZ 1A on static display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks Connecticut It was converted by Doman from the R 6 11 43 45531 12 R 6 under restoration at the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in West Chester Pennsylvania 13 Specifications R 6A editData from Thetford 1977General characteristicsCrew one Capacity one observer Length 47 ft 11 in 14 61 m Gross weight 2 600 lb 1 179 kg Powerplant 1 Franklin O 405 9 piston 240 hp 180 kW Main rotor diameter 38 ft 0 in 11 58 m Performance Maximum speed 100 mph 160 km h 87 kn Service ceiling 10 000 ft 3 000 m See also editRelated development Sikorsky R 4References editNotes edit Swanborough 1963 p 529 Butler 2004 p 278 Thetford 1977 p 422 Thetford 1976 p 603 Ogden 2007 p 602 a b c d S 49 R 6A HOS 1 Hoverfly sikorskyarchives com 2018 Retrieved 15 September 2018 Factsheet 72 Helicopter Squadron ACC Air Force Historical Research Agency April 9 2008 Retrieved January 8 2022 Sikorsky R 6A Hoverfly II stanakshot 26 April 2017 Retrieved 29 May 2017 Airframe Dossier Sikorsky Nash Kelvinator R 6A s n 43 45473 US c r N5282N Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca 29 October 2016 Retrieved 15 April 2017 Sikorsky R 6A Hoverfly II National Museum of the US Air Force 20 April 2015 Retrieved 14 April 2017 Sikorsky R 6 Doman Conversion LZ 1A New England Air Museum Archived from the original on 4 March 2017 Retrieved 14 April 2017 Ogden 2007 Aircraft Being Restored American Helicopter Museum amp Education Center Archived from the original on 15 April 2017 Retrieved 14 April 2017 Bibliography edit Butler Phil 2004 Air Arsenal North America Midland Publishing ISBN 1 85780 163 6 Ogden Bob 2007 Aviation Museums and Collections of North America Air Britain Historians Ltd ISBN 978 0 85130 385 7 Swanborough F G 1963 United States Military Aircraft since 1909 Putnam amp Company Ltd Thetford Owen 1976 Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 Putnam amp Company Ltd ISBN 0 370 10056 5 Thetford Owen 1977 British Naval Aircraft since 1912 Putnam amp Company Ltd ISBN 0 370 30021 1 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky R 6 Sikorsky S 49 R 6A HOS 1 Hoverfly Mk II page at the Sikorsky Archives Sikorsky R 6A page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force Data and image of R 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sikorsky R 6 amp oldid 1209218934, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
