Agusta A.104

The Agusta A.104 Helicar was an Italian prototype light helicopter first flown in December 1960.

The A.104 was a slightly enlarged version of the A.103 and added a second seat beside the pilot’s seat.

The cockpit was enclosed by a perspex bubble with the engine at the rear and the tail rotor carried on an enclosed boom.

Two piston-engined prototypes were built, followed by a single example of a turbine-engined variant designated A.104BT.

No production resulted.

Variants

A.104 Helicar

Two prototype aircraft powered by de-rated Agusta GA.140 piston engines.

A.104BT Helicar

A single example of a turbo-shaft powered Helicar, powered by a 270 hp (201 kW) Agusta A.270.

Specifications

Crew

1

Capacity

1 passenger

Length

6.35 m (20 ft 10 in)

Height

2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)

Empty weight

380 kg (838 lb)

Gross weight

640 kg (1,411 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Agusta GA.140 air-cooled flat-four engine,

100 kW (140 hp) (derated to 89 kilowatts (120 hp))

Main rotor diameter

7.95 m (26 ft 1 in)

Main rotor area

49.6 m² (534 sq ft)

Performance

Maximum speed

165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn) at sea level

Cruise speed

135 km/h (84 mph, 73 kn)

Range

330 km (210 mi, 180 nmi)

Endurance

2 hr 30 min

Service ceiling

3,000 m (9,800 ft)

(Hover ceiling in ground effect)

Rate of climb

4.1 m/s (810 ft/min).