Page 48 - John George Blair
P. 48
The B-2 Helicopter was designed in the early 1950s by Newby Brantly as a simple two-seat
light helicopter, simpler than his earlier B-1. The first example flew on 21 February 1953,
and the aircraft received certification in 1959, with production beginning shortly after. A
five-seat version with a more powerful engine was developed in the early 1960s and called
the 305. Production initially ended in the early 1970s, but was resumed in 1976 after Brantly
was acquired by Michael Hynes and renamed Brantly-Hynes. B-2s continue to be built today,
with over 400 examples already in service.
The United States Army evaluated the B-2 in 1958 as the YHO-3, but found it to be
unsuitable for their needs and placed no orders.
Specifications
Powerplant: One Avco Lycoming IVO-360-A1A piston engine
Top speed: 100 mph
Range: 250 miles
Ceiling: 10,800 feet
Crew: 1
Empty weight: 1,020 lbs
Length: 21 ft 9 in
Height: 6 ft 9 in
Rotor diameter: 23 ft 9 in
