Spitfire Mark II Tigershark

The Spitfire Mark II, later given the name Tigershark,[2] was a utility helicopter built in the United States in the late 1970s and intended for series production.[3][4][5] It was a further evolution of the Spitfire Mark I design, a turbine-powered conversion of the Enstrom F-28.[5] Although airframe changes on the Mark I had been minimal, the Mark II had a substantially redesigned fuselage that rearranged the F-28's 2+2 seating to move the pilot's seat forward in the nose by itself and add a bench seat for three passengers abreast behind it.[6][7] The leftmost seat on the bench could be fitted with dual controls.[6] The fuselage was lengthened,[4] and the powerplant installation (the same Allison 250 used on the Mark I) was mounted well to the rear.[7] The Mark II still used the dynamic components of the F-28, plus some of its airframe.[8]

This article is about a prototype American helicopter of the 1970s. For the Mark II variant of the Supermarine Spitfire British fighter plane of World War II, see Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin powered variants).
Mark II Tigershark
Role utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Spitfire Helicopters Inc.
First flight February 1979[1]
Developed from Enstrom F-28, Spitfire Mark I

Spitfire displayed a mockup of the Mark II at the Helicopter Association of America meeting in Anaheim, California in February 1977.[7] The prototype first flew in February 1979 and by July that year, the company reported that it had sold 42 examples[6] of the Mark I and Mark II and expected to build 60 aircraft during 1980.[6]

However, Spitfire remained dependent on Enstrom to supply airframes for remanufacture,[8][9] and Enstrom distanced itself from the project somewhat.[7] Competing plans by Enstrom and Spitfire to market Polish-built Mil Mi-2 helicopters in the United States might have contributed to the friction.[9] In Spitfire's version of the deal, Polish manufacturer PZL-Świdnik (represented by its trade bureau Pezetel) would also contribute to the Spitfire manufacturing efforts.[9] By November 1979, Enstrom refused to supply airframes to Spitfire.[10]

The situation improved somewhat in the 1980s, and Spitfire president Jack Fetsko reported in May 1983 that relations with Enstrom were at the point where the two companies could "talk programs".[2] By that time, costs for the Mark II, now dubbed the Tigershark, had increased from $US 185,000 expected in 1979[1] to $US 305,000[2] but Spitfire had a firm sale for the first production aircraft.[2] Together with companies Sodian[2] and Soprea,[11] Spitfire formed a new venture, Spitfire Helicopters International, to manufacture the Mark I and Mark II in Málaga, Spain.[2][4][11]

Nothing came of the joint venture, and Spitfire's attempts to market F-28 derivatives came to an end.[4]


Specifications

Data from Lambert 1979, p.1580

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Length: 30 ft 6 in (9.29 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
  • Empty weight: 1,325 lb (602 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,500 lb (1,136 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20B , 420 hp (313 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Main rotor area: 804 sq ft (74.7 m2)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 120 mph (192 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 450 mi (724 km, 390 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,400 ft (4,090 m)

See also

Notes
  1. "Rotor briefs", p.1047
  2. "Spitfire and Sodian about to sign?", p.1208
  3. Taylor 1989, p.839
  4. Simpson 1998, p.234
  5. Taylor 1977, p.411
  6. "Spitfire prepares new model production", p.12
  7. Lambert 1977, p.404
  8. Lambert 1979, p.1581
  9. "Enstrom prepares Polish link", p.1444
  10. "Enstrom finds new money", p.1464
  11. Taylor 1985, p.202

References
  • Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. Pg.92 ISBN 0-517-439352.
  • "Enstrom finds new money". Flight International: 1464. 3 November 1979. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • "Enstrom prepares Polish link". Flight International: 1444. 5 May 1979. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • Field, Hugo; Warren Goodman (19 July 1976). "Reading show". Flight International: 31–35. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • Lambert, Mark (19 February 1977). "Helicopters: operators and makers meet". Flight International: 401–04. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • Lambert, Mark (12 May 1979). "Personal helicopters". Flight International: 1572–82. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • "Rotor briefs". Flight International: 1047. 7 April 1979. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • Simpson, Rod (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
  • "Spitfire and Solian about to sign?". Flight International: 1208. 7 May 1983. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • "Spitfire prepares new model production". Flight International: 12. 7 July 1979. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1977). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977–78. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1985). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1985–86. London: Jane's Yearbooks.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.


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