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Bell XR-15/XH-15 (Model 54)
Role Four-seat utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight 1948
Status Cancelled
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 3

The Bell XH-15 (Bell Model 54) was an American four-seat utility helicopter designed and built by Bell Helicopter to meet a requirement for a liaison and utility helicopter for the United States Army and United States Air Force.

Development[]

The Model 54 was a conventional pod-and-boom four-seat helicopter with a wheeled, fixed tricycle landing gear and was powered by a single 275 hp Continental XO-470-5 piston engine located in the rear cabin driving a single two-bladed rotor. The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) ordered three in February 1946 as the XR-15. First flight was made in March 1948 with the new designation XH-15 but no orders were forthcoming following evaluation by the United States Air Force (USAF) and the project ended in 1950.

Variants[]

XR-15
Military designation for three Model 54s ordered for evaluation.[1]
XH-15
XR-15 re-designated before delivery.[1]

Operators[]

United States

Specifications[]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3
  • Length: 27 ft 10 in (8.49 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.68 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,795 lb (1,268 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental XO-470-5 piston engine, 475 hp (354 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 106 mph; 92 kn (170 km/h)
  • Range: 199 mi; 173 nmi (320 km)
  • Service ceiling: 20,013 ft (6,100 m)

See also[]

  • List of helicopters

References[]

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Andrade 1979, p. 162

Bibliography[]

  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9. 
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