AC.4 Andorinha | |
---|---|
Role | Sport autogyro |
National origin | Brazil |
Manufacturer | Super Rotor/ Montalva |
Designer | Altair Coelho |
First flight | 1960 (as AC.1) |
Number built | ca. 450 |
The Super Rotor AC.4 Andorinha ("Swallow") was a sport autogyro first produced in Brazil in the 1960s. [1] The prototype was built by Altair Coelho and flown in 1960 as the AC.1, [2] a typically minimalist autogyro design consisting of an open framework supporting the pilot's seat, rotor mast, engine mounting and tail fin. [3] Power was supplied by a converted Volkswagen engine driving a pusher propeller. [3] Francisco Mattis purchased the prototype and manufacturing rights and founded Super Rotor (now Montalva) of São Paulo to produce the aircraft. [3] Refinements for serial production as the AC.4 included an extra reinforcing strut for the rotor mast and a larger tail fin. [2] According to Altair Coelho, the AC.4 first flew in 1964, and gained type approval and certification in 1972. 314 were built.
Super Rotor went on to produce a two-seat version with dual controls as the M.1 Montalva, [1] [4] a turbo-charged two-seater as the M.2 Trovão Azul ("Blue Thunder"), [4] and an agricultural version with spray bars as the Agricóptero. [4]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88, p.20 (except as noted)
General characteristics
Performance
AC.4 Andorinha | |
---|---|
Role | Sport autogyro |
National origin | Brazil |
Manufacturer | Super Rotor/ Montalva |
Designer | Altair Coelho |
First flight | 1960 (as AC.1) |
Number built | ca. 450 |
The Super Rotor AC.4 Andorinha ("Swallow") was a sport autogyro first produced in Brazil in the 1960s. [1] The prototype was built by Altair Coelho and flown in 1960 as the AC.1, [2] a typically minimalist autogyro design consisting of an open framework supporting the pilot's seat, rotor mast, engine mounting and tail fin. [3] Power was supplied by a converted Volkswagen engine driving a pusher propeller. [3] Francisco Mattis purchased the prototype and manufacturing rights and founded Super Rotor (now Montalva) of São Paulo to produce the aircraft. [3] Refinements for serial production as the AC.4 included an extra reinforcing strut for the rotor mast and a larger tail fin. [2] According to Altair Coelho, the AC.4 first flew in 1964, and gained type approval and certification in 1972. 314 were built.
Super Rotor went on to produce a two-seat version with dual controls as the M.1 Montalva, [1] [4] a turbo-charged two-seater as the M.2 Trovão Azul ("Blue Thunder"), [4] and an agricultural version with spray bars as the Agricóptero. [4]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88, p.20 (except as noted)
General characteristics
Performance