Hind vs Mi8 vs KA50 drag race.

[Picure]

Me and a couple of guys from BSD (NaDs and TnT) did a drag race with these three helis.

 

 Guess who wins?

Edited June 19, 2021 by Picure

[Scofflaw]

Not the result I would have imagined.  What I found most notable is how stable the KA50 looks compared to the other two.

[malcheus]

Interesting. Though I suppose the Mi8 had no cargo or weapons loaded?

Empty transport helos have a lot of spare power. 

[Picure]

33 minutes ago, Scofflaw said:

Not the result I would have imagined.  What I found most notable is how stable the KA50 looks compared to the other two.

Maybe it was user error on the other two helis lol.

 

[BeastyBaiter]

The Mi-24 is unquestionably the fastest chopper in the game, but I haven't done acceleration tests like that. Shouldn't be a surprise that the Ka-50 wins it, it's a very responsive little chopper.

[Quadg]

counter rotating helicopters are fast.

its because the retreating blade stall is balanced out. by the other rotor. they both stall but on opposite sides. so the stalled rotors still provides net even lift. (just less thrust)

the rotors don't need to be on top of each other.

the ch47 chinook is also very fast for the same reason.

counter rotating helicopters speed is limited by advancing blade compressibility, wing tip maximum speeds and engine power.

 

the mi-24 is fast because the wings provide 30% of the lift so it can go faster with a single rotor. the wings balance out the retreating blade stall, up to a point. but the onset of retreating blade stall is much harsher. 

an empty mi-8 is big but light. 

why it will have good acceleration (good power to weight ratio empty) but a lower top speed. the big body has more drag. its pylons don't generate lift. it will hit retreating blade stall first but retreating blade stall will be much more gradual.

 

all modern military designs, in competition, have either a single rotor with wings, or are counter rotating. with an added pusher where the tail rotor used to be. for even more speed (making up for the loss of thrust from retreating blade stall). 

so they can be launched from further away (same time on target). don't need FARPS as close to the battle area. and have greater range.

 

 

 

[Hook47]

Not surprising to me. The acceleration is more a question of drag between these choppers and the Hind loses in that regard. 

 

The KA 50 has the most advanced stability system, and the added benefit of twin rotors, so it doesn't surprise me to see it looking more stable. 

[Knock-Knock]

Weight with 20% / 100% fuel. You still need to move that mass.

 

Ka-50: 19337 / 21894

Mi-8:   19513 / 22915

Mi-24: 20891 / 23981