Continental Copters El Tomcat

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{{Infobox aircraft

|name=El Tomcat

|image=Continental Copters "El Tomcat" (5311052227).jpg

|caption=

|type=Agricultural helicopter

|manufacturer=Continental Copters

|designer=

|first_flight=1959

|introduction=

|retired=

|status=

|primary_user=

|more_users=

|produced=

|number_built=

|variants=

}}

The Continental Copters El Tomcat was a 1950s American single-seat agricultural helicopter converted from a Bell 47G by Continental Copters of Fort Worth Texas. The first helicopter (the El Tomcat II) first flew in 1959 and was followed by a number of variants.

Variants

;El Tomcat Mk.II: Bell 47G-2 modified extensively for agricultural spraying. First flew in April 1959.

;El Tomcat Mk.III:Improved version of the Mk.II, it first flew in April 1965.

;El Tomcat Mk.IIIA:Powered by the Franklin 6V4-200, 6V-335, or 6V-350 engines.

;El Tomcat Mk.IIIB:Featured a modified fiberglass nose with a repositioned windscreen and a lower cabin roof, and was powered by the 235 hp Franklin 6V-350-A. Produced in 1967.

;El Tomcat Mk.IIIC:Improved version with 200 hp Franklin 6V4-200-C32, 210 hp 6V-335-A, or 235 hp 6V-350-A engines.

;El Tomcat Mk.V:First flown in June 1968, it was powered by a 220 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1A.

;El Tomcat Mk.V-A:Powered by a 260 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1F with a foldable jump-seat.

;El Tomcat Mk.V-B:Powered by a 265 hp Lycoming VO-435-B1A.

Specifications (V-A)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=[http://www.aircraftworlddirectory.com/civil/c/continentaleltomcatmkva.htm Aircraft World Directory]

|prime units? = imp

|crew=1

|length m=9.63

|length ft=31

|length in=7

|rot number=1

|rot dia m=11.32

|rot dia ft=37

|rot dia in=1.5

|height ft=2.87

|height in=9.5

|empty weight kg=623

|empty weight lb=1375

|gross weight kg=1111

|gross weight lb=2450

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming TVO-435

|eng1 kw=194

|eng1 hp=260

|cruise speed kmh=104

|cruise speed mph=65

}}

References

{{reflist}}

  • {{cite book |last=Pelletier |first=Alain J. |title=Bell Aircraft since 1935 |year=1992 |location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1-55750-056-8}}

See also

{{Commons category|Continental Copters El Tomcat}}

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{{Bell 47 family}}

Category:1950s United States agricultural aircraft

Category:1950s United States helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959

Category:Single-engined piston helicopters