Bensen Mid-Jet

The Bensen Mid-Jet (a pun on "Midget jet") was a small helicopter developed by Igor Bensen in the United States in the early 1950s in the hope of attracting the interest of the United States Navy. It was a single-seat, open framework machine based on the B-5 rotor kite with small, gasoline- or fuel oil-burning ramjets mounted as tipjets on the rotor blades.[1] Tests carried out in 1954 showed it to be able to lift four times its own weight and cruise at 75 mph (120 km/h).

Mid-Jet
Role Experimental helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bensen Aircraft
Designer Igor Bensen
First flight 1953
Number built 1


Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
  • Empty weight: 100 lb (45 kg)
  • Gross weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × ramjets , equivalent to 20 hp (15 kW) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
  • Main rotor area: 176 sq ft (16.4 m2)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 75 mph (120 km/h, 65 kn)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  • Bensen Aircraft Foundation
  • Lambermont, Paul Marcel (1958). Helicopters and Autogyros of the World.
  • Bensen Aircraft at Vortechonline.com
  1. "Helicopter With Five Pound Ramjet Engines to Fly 80 Miles Per Hour". Popular Mechanics. June 1954. p. 138. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
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