A-Model 72373 CH-1 Skyhook

The Cessna CH-1 Skyhook was an American light multirole helicopter from the post-war period. The flight of the prototype took place in 1953, and the machine was put on the line in 1956. In total, it is estimated that about 50 helicopters of this type were built. The drive - the CH-1C version - was provided by a single Continental FSO-526A engine with 270 HP. The fuselage length was 8.97 meters and the main rotor diameter was 10.67 meters. The maximum take-off weight oscillated around 1,400 kilograms, and the maximum speed did not exceed 175 km / h.

The CH-1 Skyhook was the only helicopter produced by Cessna in its history. The machine was largely based on the plans and prototypes of the Seibel S-4B helicopter, the manufacturer of which - Seibel Helicopters - was purchased by Cessna in January 1952. It is worth adding that the company offered the helicopter both on the civil and military market. The military users of these machines were the armed forces of the USA, Iran and Venezuela, but it is worth adding that in the USA they did not de facto enter active line service. On the other hand, on the civilian market, the machine suffered a significant commercial failure, which ultimately led to the fact that the Cessna company withdrew from the production of helicopters.