SAUNDERS-ROE SARO SKEETER MK 12

En 1951 SAUNDERS-ROE adquirió la compañía Cierva, a fin de introducirse en el campo de las alas rotativas. Cierva había puesto en vuelo el 8 de octubre de 1948 el prototipo de un helicóptero biplaza al que designó Cierva W.14 Skeeter I, y Saro prosiguió con el desarrollo de esta aeronave. Tres prototipos del Saro Skeeter 6, propulsados por un motor Gipsy Major 200 de 200 HP , fueron evaluados por el Ejército británico y ello resultó en el encargo de 4 helicópteros, construidos en forma de tres Skeeter AOP.MK 10 y un entrenador con doble mando Skeeter T.MK 11. El cuerpo aéreo del Ejército adquirió 64 helicópteros AOP. MK 12 Skeeter de serie, que diferian por que contaban con un motor Gipsy Major de 215 HP. Además bajo la denominación de Skeeter MK 50 y Skeeter MK 51 el ejército alemán y la marina utilizaron seis y cuatro aparatos, respectivamente. Estos aparatos tenían un rotor principal de 9,75 m de diámetro. Se previó una variente civil bajo la denominación Skeeter Serie 8, pero se construyó un único aparato.

La cadena de fabricación se cerró en 1960 y para ese entonces Saunders-Roe había sido adquirida por Westland.

The Skeeters roots go back to 1948. It was the creation of 'The Cierva Autogiro Company', called the 'W14 Sceptre' and it first flew on the 10th. October 1948.

In 1951, 'The Cierva Autogiro Company' and its early prototype helicopters were taken over by 'Saunders-Roe'; officially abbreviated 'SARO'. At the time, Saunders-Roe were known for their flying boats and had no experience in designing and building helicopters. They set up their new helicopter division at Eastleigh and from there successfully developed the Skeeter from its early prototypes to the definitive MK7 (Military designation - A.O.P.12).

The phenomenon of ground-resonance plagued the early prototypes but was eventually cured, but only after taking the lives of two test pilots.

The Skeeter was the first Helicopter operated by the British Army Air Corps., it replaced the Auster 9 in an observation and reconnaissance role and was also used for training. The first deliveries were taken in 1959 and were operated until the last one was struck off the military register in 1967. In total there were 88 Skeeters built (including prototypes), the British Army Air Corps took delivery of 77.

At the time of publication, there is only one flying example of the Skeeter in the world.

The Skeeter is a light, two seat, piston engine helicopter, wholly British designed and built. It is of conventional configuration, having a single Main Rotor and a tail rotor.

The Main Rotor system is 'fully articulated' and has three rotor blades. It has a diameter of 32 feet and in cruise flight it revolves at 317rpm. At this speed the tips are traveling close to 400mph. The job of the main rotor is to provide lift and propulsion.

Power is produced by a deHavilland Gypsy Major 140 air cooled, 4 cylinder, inline, fuel injected piston engine. The engine's cubic capacity is 6.90 litres, and produces 215 b.h.p.

The main frame that supports the engine and secondary gearbox is made from tubular steel. Cockpit, doors and tail section are made from aluminum and the engine cowlings from fibreglass.
The Skeeter has a tricycle undercarriage with a 'free castering' nose wheel.

Thanks to skeeterheritage.co.uk

Characteristics Características	Information Información	Characteristics Características	Information Información
First Flight Primer Vuelo	1948	Engine Motor	1 Gipsy Major 140
Seating Capacity Plazas	1 / 1	Power Potencia	215 HP
Empty Weight Peso Vacío	1750 Lb	Hover Ceiling O.G.E. Estacionario O.G.E	NA
Maximum Weight Peso Máximo	2350 Lb	Hover Ceiling I.G.E. Estacionario I.G.E	NA
Vel. Cruise Vel. crucero	78 Kts	Service Ceiling Techo de Servicio	12800 Ft
V.N.E. V.N.E	105 Kts	Maximum Range (Std) Alcance (Std)	156 NM
Dimensions / Dimensiones
Fuselage Length Fuselaje Largo	25,59 ft 7,80 mt	Main Rotor Diameter Diam. Rotor Principal	32,34 ft 9,86 mt
Length, Rotors Turning Dist. Rotores Girando	39,00 ft 11,88 mt	Tail Rotor Diameter Diam. Rotor de Cola	6,00 ft 1,82 mt
Total Height Alto Total	7,50 ft 2,28 mt	Price Precio	NA