Name the world's very first anti-submarine (meaning hunter/killer) helicopter?
1. Make and manufacturer's design model nomenclature?
2. Military initial X----- designator as ordered?
3. Military designator of the first production anti-submarine helicopters?
As usual, all answers necessary to win the quiz.
I'll put my twopenny worth in and go for the following.
1. Bell Model 61
2. XHSL-1
3. HSL-1
I believe this wasn't a great success and the USN ordered the Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat as a suitable replacement.
My Congrats to Rob for perfect answers!
There is a book about the Bell HSL-1 by an aeronautical engineer, pilot and aviation writer Tommy H. Thomason: "The Forgotten Bell HSL: U.S. Navy's First All-Weather Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter."
The Bell HSL is the ancestor of every ASW helicopter to follow. Bell's first and only helicopter using tandem rotors until that time (first flight in 1953), power was one 2,400 Hp P&W R-2800-50 mounted just aft of the back two wheels of four wheels widely spaced fore and aft, with the control cockpit forward of the front wheels. Each rotor was two-bladed with balance weights at 90 degree angles to the rotors. Each rotor mount was near the extreme ends of the fuselage. It was intended to use air-to-surface missiles such as the Fairchild PETREL and dipping ASDIC.
Rotor diameter was 51'6" each, gross weight 26,500 lbs, range 350 miles at 100 mph.
Three prototype XHLS-1s were ordered and delivered; the first flying on 4 March 1953. Fifty production were built as HSL-1s beginning in January 1957 out of a contract for 78 total, with 18 intended for Britain's Fleet Air Arm. I don't think those 18 were ever delivered, but Rob just might know. U.S. Naval service was short-lived.
Technically, the HSS-1 Sikorsky SEABAT later operated as EITHER a sub hunter with dipping ASDIC or as a sub killer using launched torpedoes, but not both simultaneously from one platform. Paired HSS-1 sub hunters and sub killers were possible, but the usual was to call in a Navy Destroyer craft to do the killing when a target was located by the hunter.
I haven't checked here, but any photo of the Bell HSL is welcomed.
Thanks Doug.
Eighteen were indeed due to be delivered to the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm under the Mutual Defence Aid Programme. This never took place however as the XHSL-1 test programme was not completed prior to the Korean war ending and they were deemed unnecessary.
Squadron HU-1 began receiving the HSL-1 in January 1957 but it was not a success in it's intended role. Most were used for training and spares. Apparently it did have some capability in the mine-sweeping role and six modified examples were in service with the Navy Mine Defence Laboratory in Panama City, Florida to the end of 1960.
Interestingly this was the only time Bell entered what was considered Piasecki's territory of building heavy tandem-rotor helicopters.
Thank you Rob,
Your added info and the fine photo adds to the history of this seminal helicopter, and is most appreciated, as I could find nothing on this site!.
Google Bell hsl-1 and click on the Wikipedia entry. It contains a side-on photo clearly showing the radial engine in the rear fuselage.
Yes, thank you. The HSL-1 engine compartment is semi-see through near the top with a large circular shroud behind the engine and diagonal bracings at the lower compartment corners. I have several reference books with photos of the helo, but don't upload copyrighted stuff. And, I usually don't reveal my sources for these questions for obvious reasons. And, I have not seen nor read the Thomason book
