The Bölkow Bo 103 was an ultralight experimental helicopter flown in West Germany in 1961. It was designed for reconnaissance and command-control purposes and constructed by Bölkow Entwicklungen KG as part of a research order by the German Federal Ministry of Defense.
Bo 103 | |
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Bölkow Bo 103 at Hubschraubermuseum Bueckeburg | |
Role | Experimental helicopter Type of aircraft |
National origin | West Germany |
Manufacturer | Bölkow |
First flight | 14 September 1961[1] |
Number built | 1 |
While the mechanics of the aircraft were based on the Bo 102 captive training rig, the Bo 103 was capable of fully independent flight. In configuration, it was absolutely minimalist - consisting of nothing more than a tubular frame to which the dynamic components and the pilots seat were attached, although a small fibreglass cabin was eventually attached. The aircraft retained the Bo 102's single-rotor of Glass-reinforced plastic, and proved that this was suitable for true flight. A single prototype was built, but work was stopped in 1962 due to lack of interest on the part of the West German armed forces.[2] The prototype is preserved at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg.
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Related lists
Bölkow and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) aircraft | |
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Bölkow gliders | |
Bölkow fixed wing aircraft | |
Bölkow rotary wing aircraft | |
MBB aircraft |