Manzolini Libellula
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Libellula
|image =
|caption =
|type = Light experimental helicopter
|manufacturer = Manzolini
|designer = Ettore Manzolini
|first_flight = 7 January 1952
|introduction =
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user =
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 3
|developed_from =
|variants =
}}
The Manzolini Libellula was a 1950s Italian co-axial twin-rotor helicopter designed by Ettore Manzolini. "Libellula" is the Italian word for "Dragonfly".
Design and development
Ettore Manzolini established a company in Rome, Italy to develop a helicopter he had designed. The design was the Manzolini Libellula an unusual co-axial helicopter. The co-axial arrangement eliminating the need for an anti-torque rotor allowed the helicopter to have a twin fin arrangement. The Libellula (Registered I-MANZ) first flew on 7 January 1952. An improved version was the single-seat Libellula II which went on to gain Italian certification on 15 October 1962. A three-seater version (the Libellula III) was built and a four-seat Libellula IV was planned but Manzolini stopped development in the late 1960s.
Variants
;Libellula
:Prototype, one built.
;Libellula II
:Prototype single-seat version powered by a 75kW (101hp) Walter Minor 4-III engine, one built.
;Libellula III
:Prototype two-seat version powered by a 104kW (140hp) Walter M 332 engine, one built but not flown.
;Libellula IV
:Proposed four-seat version powered by a 236kW (317shp) Allison 250-CT18 turboshaft, not built.
Specifications (Libellula II)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66Taylor 1965, p. 95.
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=1
|capacity=
|length m=4.85
|length ft=
|length in=
|height m=3.06
|height ft=
|height in=
|empty weight kg=498
|empty weight lb=
|max takeoff weight kg=650
|max takeoff weight lb=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Walter Minor 4-III
|eng1 type=air-cooled 4-cylinder inline engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=101
|power original=
|more power=
|rot number=2
|rot dia m=9.00
|rot dia ft=
|rot dia in=
|rot area sqm=127.2
|rot area sqft=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=110
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|cruise speed kmh=90
|cruise speed note=(econ cruise)
|range km=200
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=max fuel, 10 min reserve
|endurance=
|ceiling m=2900
|ceiling ft=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=780
|lift to drag=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|sequence=
|lists=
|see also=
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
- Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. Pg.123 {{ISBN|0-517-439352}}.
- {{cite book|last=Taylor|first=John W. R.|author-link=John W. R. Taylor|title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66|year=1965|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.|location=London}}
- {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}
External links
- https://web.archive.org/web/20091020005015/http://geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/5249/manzolini.htm
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Category:1950s Italian helicopters
Category:1950s Italian civil utility aircraft