Agusta A.101

The Agusta A.101 is an Italian heavy helicopter developed in the years 1960 and remained prototype.

Origin

It is with the Fair of Milan, in April 1958, that Costruzione Aeronautiche Giovanni Agusta announced the development at the risk deprived by the engineer Filippo Zappata of an ambitious heavy helicopter of transport indicated AZ.101 , presenting even a model of the project. The construction of the prototype was launched in 1959 in Cascina Costa, progressing slowly because of strong workloads. This apparatus was presented in the form of a large a 20 m length machine, equipped with two a back sliding side door and loading ramp, being able to transport, in addition to the two pilots, 35 men equipped, or 18 stretchers with five passengers sitting, or 5.000 kg of freight. Equip with dual control, of an autopilot and with equipment IFR, it was equipped with 3 turbines Bristol-board-Siddeley Gnome H-1200 of 1 250 ch.

Only one prototype, three motorizations

AZ.101D : After more than one year of tests year ground and under obstacles, the first flight of prototype AZ.101D took place with Cascina Costa the October 19th, 1964 with Ottorino Lancia with the orders. During the first section of tests (400 hours), carried out under the direction of engineers Bellavita and Lovera, a.101D appeared under-motorized, presenting performances lower than those of its contemporary Super Frelon, but with a level of vibrations lower and a more roomy cabin.
AZ.101G : After having undergone modifications (assembly of one twin wheel in the place of the two front casters, lengthening of the side small baloons, replacement of the turbines by H-1400 Gnome of 1400 ch), it was renamed A.101G before taking part in the Aeronautical Living room of Turin in June 1966. With the autumn 1966 Agusta announced that it was ready for the series production, the Marina Militare Italiana like the Aeronautica Militare Italiana seeming to be interested of very close with this apparatus. But the Italian navy ordered finally Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King (built under license by Agusta). It is only with autumn 1968 that prototype A.101G was allowed in the center of tests of Pratica di Mare, for official tests which were prolonged until the middle of 1971… the FRIENDLY considering the ordering of 8 apparatuses.
A.101H : During its stay with Pratica di Mare the fuselage of A.101 was lengthened of almost 3 m and the engines replaced by turbines General Electric T58. Become A.101H, the apparatus became ripe finally, but too much late. Technically exceeded A.101 was abandoned a few months later. At all events, the development of this apparatus proved to be rich in lesson for the development of EH-101.

Preserved by the manufacturer, the prototype is preserved today at the Agusta Museum, after being prété ten years to the Caproni Museum.

Sources

K. Munson (1968) Helicopters And Other Rotorcraft Since 1907
G. Apostolo (1984) The Illustrated Encyclopedia off Helicopters
R.W. Simpson (1998) Airlife' S Helicopters and Rotorcraft.

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