H3 Sprinter
VFW-Fokker H3 on display at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg
Role Experimental rotorcraft
Manufacturer VFW-Fokker
First flight 15 March 1971
Produced 2

The VFW-Fokker H3 Sprinter was a single-engined experimental rotorcraft designed and built in West Germany. Two aircraft were produced by VFW-Fokker in the early 1970s, registered D-9543 and D-9544. Intended as the first of a family of tip-jet driven helicopters the two H3 prototypes flew briefly but the method of rotor propulsion was found to be unsuccessful for this size of aircraft. Due to a high rotor overspeed, they could perform jump take-offs to 280 feet (85 m) at a rate of 1,600 feet (490 m) per minute.[1] An improved H4 variant was designed but not built.

Aircraft on display

Both aircraft have survived. D-9543 is currently on display at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg[2] with the other H3 thought to be in a private collection in Germany.

Specifications (H3)

Data from Jane's Pocket Book of Research and Experimental Aircraft, 1976.[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: 2 passengers and 270 kg (595 lb)
  • Length: 7.37 m (24 ft 2.25 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.70 m (28 ft 6.52 in)
  • Height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2.43 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 968 kg (2,134 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C18 turboshaft

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 250 km/h (155 mph, 135 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to VFW H-3.
Notes
  1. ↑ Robb, Raymond L. "Hybrid helicopters: Compounding the quest for speed Archived 2006-09-27 at the Wayback Machine", page 34. Vertiflite. American Helicopter Society, Summer 2006.
  2. ↑ VFW H-3 Sprinter Retrieved: 21 April 2022
  3. ↑ Taylor 1976, p. 243.
Bibliography
  • Taylor, John W.R. Jane's Pocket Book of Research and Experimental Aircraft, London, Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd, 1976. ISBN 0-356-08409-4.
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