KH-4 | |
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A KH-4 at Glen Helen NT Australia. | |
Role | Utility helicopter |
National origin | Japan |
Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
First flight | August 1962 |
Number built | 211 |
Developed from | Bell 47 |
The Kawasaki KH-4 was a light utility helicopter produced in Japan in the 1960s as a development of the Bell 47 that Kawasaki had been building under licence since 1952. The most visible difference between the KH-4 and its forerunner was its new and enlarged cabin. This was fully enclosed (although the side doors were removable) and provided seating for three passengers side-by-side on a bench seat behind the pilot's seat. The helicopter was provided with a new control system, revised instrumentation, and larger fuel tank.
A total of 211 KH-4s were built, including four that were modified from existing Bell 47Gs. The vast majority of these were bought by civil operators, although some were purchased by the military forces of Japan and Thailand.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67
General characteristics
Performance