Nagler NH-160

The Nagler NH-160 was an experimental single seat helicopter with counter-rotating blades.[1]

Nagler NH-160
Role Helicopter
Manufacturer Nagler Helicopter Company
Designer Bruno Nagler
First flight December 1955
Number built 1

Design and development

Bruno Nagler began wind tunnel experiments into helicopter design in 1926 and developed the first practical swash plate. The Nagler NH-120 was developed to test the idea of counteracting rotor torque with a small separate rotor. The engine was mounted above the main rotor on a shaft, and the anti-torque rotor was mounted above both. The NH-160 had a conventional helicopter engine and rotor layout, with the exception of the smaller anti-torque rotor mounted under the fuselage between the landing skids.[2] Yaw control on both was effected through changing the difference in rotational speed between the two rotors, using a series of disc brakes. A small tail surface provided directional stability in forward flight. The smaller rotor would spin at a higher rpm, with about 60 percent of the load,. the main rotor being adjustable for lift control.

The NH-160 proved to be much more stable in tests than the NH-120 which had a higher center of gravity.

Variants
NH-120
Helicopter with engine mounted above rotor with a counter-torque rotor mounted above the engine.[3]
NH-170
An enclosed two-seat side-by-side design with a shrouded lower counter-torque rotor.

Specifications (Nagler NH-160)

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

  • Capacity: one
  • Gross weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × McCullough Model 4318 , 72 hp (54 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 2× 20 ft (6.1 m)
  • Main rotor area: 314 sq ft (29.2 m2) Lower rotor 8ft 3 blades

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 104 kn (119 mph, 192 km/h)

See also

Related development

  • XNH I Heliglider
  • Convertocrapt 130
  • Nagler HC-1 Heligyro
  • Nagler VG1 Vertigyro

References
  1. The Aeroplane, Volume 90. 1956.
  2. Sport Aviation. January 1959. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Paul Marcel Lambermont, Anthony Pirie. Helicopters and autogyros of the world.
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