Cobra helicopters page 4
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| Predator Turbine Helicopter |
Welcome to the Turbine Age (1992)
Cobra Helicopters first introduced their single seat turbine powered Predator kit helicopter at Oshkosh in 1991. The Predator went through a thorough flight testing program while determining the viability of incorporating turbine power into a kit helicopter design. It was finally released to the public in 1992. The Predator helicopter is the first helicopter kit intended for turbine power; a 95 HP Solar T62T-2A1 APU turns the rotors giving it a respectable 95mph cruise speed.
As can be seen here, Cobra Helicopters were well ahead of the market having conceived a kit helicopter utilising turbine power well before the Mini 500 conversions, including the Rotorway Jet Exec, Turbine Angel CH-7, Rotormouse, Helicycle and now Mosquito turbine powered helicopter. Very little is known about this revolutionary addition to the Cobra Helicopters kit built helicopter range. The Predator's airframe is based on the Mustang helicopter's all welded chromoly steel design and uses a gear driven main rotor transmission system along with a shaft driven tail rotor system. The Solar APU turbine outputs its power through a reduction gearbox before transferring drive via belts to what appears to be an unusual alloy three way main rotor gear box with tail rotor output dirctly opposit the input shaft. This actually resembles an automotive differential gearbox with what would be the driveshaft input pointing vertically.
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| Predator Turbine Helicopter Cockpit |
Although the main rotor blades and tail rotor blades remain the same, the landing gear has been modified from the Mustang design for better ground clearance. The Predator also sports a stylish cabin once again sticking with Helton's idea of comfort, streamlining and visual appeal.
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| Predator helicopter in flight |
Press Release (1992)
Predator Turbine Powered Kit Helicopter
Gary Helton of Cobra Helicopters has announced the availability of their new kit-built turbine powered helicopter, the Predator. The Predator is unique in that it utilises a gas powered turbine engine along with conventional drive train and helicopter controls while maintaining a very inexpensive price for the average person. The kit comes complete with engine and all components ready to bolt together. After spending a few weeks assembling the Predator you will be ready for the exciting world of helicopter flight. You will be able to fly out of your back yard and reach a top speed of 95 mph while you drop down to follow rivers and beaches or zip across tree tops. The versatile and sleek Predator, with its reliable, fully goverened gas turbine engine will provide you with good visability, maneuverability, economy and pure flying fun. All this for an affordable price of $25,000, complete with engine. (Editors note: NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
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| Predator Helicopter Turbine Installation |
Footnotes: As you can see by this and other designs presented here on our website, there have been many comapnies and designs that have simply vanished because of various reasons but mainly due to the market demand at that time.
As history has shown us there was little interest in such features then where as now, turbines are all the rage? Take the Helicycle, the Mosquito (both started their lives with 2-stroke engines), the Wasp and even now the Jet Exec Rotorway conversions the Angel CH-7 conversions and of course the Mini 500 conversions. It seems unfortunate that we have lost such an innovative design with features we now dream about. Obviously they were very forward thinking people, only they were just a little ahead of their time without even realising it.
For example, this is as close to a commercial helicopter most of us would have ever come to owning, complete with turbine power and reliable construction methods still used in the aviation industry today. Yet how many Predators have you seen flying? How much exposure did you see in the major aircraft publications or on the news and in the media. Today thankfully the internet gives much assistance in providing the information we now seek with relative ease. It also allows for a more widespread advertising option where aircraft like these are more likely to find a successful market due to international exposure.
Please note, Redback Aviation has no other information or parts etc... available for any of the Cobra Helicopter range. This story has simply been presented here for historical and information purposes only. If you have any information on these helicopters or knowledge of anyone who owns one, please contact Redback Aviation so that we me share it with the rest of the experimental helicopter community.
Editors note: Cobra Helicopters originally offered a very boxy looking two seat helicopter that somewhat resembled the Rotorway Scorpion helicopter. The helicopter was powered by a converted Mazda Rotary engine that operated at around 5500rpm. The airframe appeared to be of typical chromoly steel airframe along with a "duck-bill" style cabin. It was of standard configuration with primary clutchable V-belt reduction drive to the main rotor gearbox. It also supported a shaft driven tail rotor and used the basic swash plate control system. All later models use the Commuter/Baby Bell/Safari helicopter transmission system. Unfortunately I no longer have that information or any pictures of this design. I tried for many years to track down more information on the company and design. At one stage I came across a gentleman who sent me an in-depth email on Cobra Helicopters and it's origins also noting that it was sold off I believe to an unknown Italian company. I have never been able to locate that email since I first received it (about 3 computers and many years ago). If anyone feels they can contribute to this or any article, please use the contact-us page.
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| Predator taxiing for flight |
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NOTE: Cobra Helicopters are no longer in existence and their Cobra, Mustang and Predator helicopters are longer in production. Article date 1990 courtesy Norm Goyer.
