Bell HSL
| HSL (Bell Model 61) | |
|---|---|
| The U.S. Navy Bell XHSL-1 prototype in flight. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Tandem-rotor ASW helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 53 including one static test article |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1957 |
| First flight | 3 March 1953 |
| Retired | 1960 |
The Bell HSL (Model 61) was an American 1950s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter built by the Bell Helicopter company, the only tandem rotor type designed by Bell. It had its first flight in 1953 and entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1957. Over 50 models were produced but it was out of service by 1960 - such was the pace of helicopter development in this period.
The helicopter had two main rotors at either end of the fuselage tube, linked by a transmission but powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R-2800-50m, which was an 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine. The front rotor shaft was actually slightly ahead of pilots in the front cockpit.