Kawasaki KH-4 Helicopter
KAWASAKI KH-4 HELICOPTER
In 1946 the Bell 47 became the first single engine light helicopter to be Type Certificated by Civil Aviation Regulators, and the most well known variant became the 47G.
In 1952, the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries Corporation began producing the single pilot and two passenger, single rotor, single piston engined Bell 47-G3B helicopter under license.
During the mid 1960s Kawasaki began to develop a modified Bell 47G-3B into a two or three passenger and one or two pilot general purpose machine that comprised a lengthened fuselage to accommodate an enclosed increased cabin length with a second row of seats and optional removable doors, a new and improved control system, increased fuel tankage and powered by a turbocharged Lycoming TVO-435-B1A piston engine of 270hp, and was designated the Kawasaki KH-4.
First flight of the prototype KH-4 was in August 1962, Japanese Type Certification was granted on November 9 1962, and by early 1972, 193 of the machines had been produced. A total of some 300 KH-4s had been built by the time production of the type ceased in 1975. The machines were marketed to the armed forces of Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philipines, while the civilian market included Australia.
The Museum's Kawasaki KH-4 construct number 2067, was built in 1965 and served with the Royal Thai Police Air Wing (RTPAW), and was one of several such machines acquired by A.M.T/Airwork Helicopters during the early 1990s for re-build and sale at Caboolture Queensland. Registered VH-LWS on July 3 1998, with a change of ownership to a Northern Territory operator following on November 19 1998. Registration was subsequently cancelled on July 7 2006 by CASA.
The Museum acquired and recovered the derelict remains of VH-LWS in 2022, and it will eventually be restored for display.
Technical Data :
Crew: 1 or 2, Passenger accommodation - 2 or 3.
Dimensions: Main rotor - 11.0m (36'01''), Tail rotor - 1.0m (3'03''), Fuselage length - 9.97m (32'07''), Height - 2.84m (9'.04'')
Weights: Empty - 816kg (1,799lb), Max take off - 1,293kg (2,851lb)
Performance: Max speed (VNO) 91kt (105mph), Cruise - 76kt (87mph)
Service ceiling: 5,640m (18,504ft)
Range: 400 km (249mls)
In 1952, the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries Corporation began producing the single pilot and two passenger, single rotor, single piston engined Bell 47-G3B helicopter under license.
During the mid 1960s Kawasaki began to develop a modified Bell 47G-3B into a two or three passenger and one or two pilot general purpose machine that comprised a lengthened fuselage to accommodate an enclosed increased cabin length with a second row of seats and optional removable doors, a new and improved control system, increased fuel tankage and powered by a turbocharged Lycoming TVO-435-B1A piston engine of 270hp, and was designated the Kawasaki KH-4.
First flight of the prototype KH-4 was in August 1962, Japanese Type Certification was granted on November 9 1962, and by early 1972, 193 of the machines had been produced. A total of some 300 KH-4s had been built by the time production of the type ceased in 1975. The machines were marketed to the armed forces of Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philipines, while the civilian market included Australia.
The Museum's Kawasaki KH-4 construct number 2067, was built in 1965 and served with the Royal Thai Police Air Wing (RTPAW), and was one of several such machines acquired by A.M.T/Airwork Helicopters during the early 1990s for re-build and sale at Caboolture Queensland. Registered VH-LWS on July 3 1998, with a change of ownership to a Northern Territory operator following on November 19 1998. Registration was subsequently cancelled on July 7 2006 by CASA.
The Museum acquired and recovered the derelict remains of VH-LWS in 2022, and it will eventually be restored for display.
Technical Data :
Crew: 1 or 2, Passenger accommodation - 2 or 3.
Dimensions: Main rotor - 11.0m (36'01''), Tail rotor - 1.0m (3'03''), Fuselage length - 9.97m (32'07''), Height - 2.84m (9'.04'')
Weights: Empty - 816kg (1,799lb), Max take off - 1,293kg (2,851lb)
Performance: Max speed (VNO) 91kt (105mph), Cruise - 76kt (87mph)
Service ceiling: 5,640m (18,504ft)
Range: 400 km (249mls)