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As I mentioned a while ago, I intend to build a model of the NHI (Nederlandse Helicopter Industrie) H-3 in scale 1:48.
A rather comprehensive description of the project can be found here: https://www.heli-archive.ch/en/helicopters/in-depth-articles/nhi-h-3-kolibrie. It's an exceptionally well written article with information on all aspects of this project.
During the mid fifties my father was involved in the design of this Dutch helicopter, the main reason why I selected to build this rotorcraft. It was a very small helicopter, driven by two rotor tip-mounted ramjets; the noise coming from these engines was er splitting and as a child I was scared s....less, just by the sound of it. As a result, I was never to be found anywhere near the thrice darned thing.
Below a picture of the Kolibri H-1; my father is the man in center front, if I remember correctly, he was responsible for the rotor head design.
This picture was taken about a half year before my birth:
A picture of the Kolibri H-3 model:
Unfortunately, detailed information, ie drawings, are severely lacking, sofar I uncovered a few pics from an old brochure, with some dimensions and I was able to locate a sideview of the H-3 model.
Initially I thought to scale the avialble pictures to1:48 and start the build using these, but I realized rather quickly that that would be a rather bad idea; especially the rotorhead design need to be more detailed than what's shown on the drawings.
This led to the decision to define the helicopter in 3D-models. This meant I needed a 3D software package and, since I own a ten year old Macbook, it was to be compatible with the old MacOS Catalina. That ruled out the use of Fusion 360, but luckily FreeCad still runs on the old OS...
So I now find myself deep diving into mastering a new and unfamiliar Cad-program, while simultaneously trying to obtain a more or less correct product definition.
An isometric view of the H-3 model:
A 3 view sketch of the H-3 model, with some main dimensions:
A side view drawing, again of the H-3 model
(None of these picture are mine...)
After some hours spend struggling with FreeCad, I now have a basic assembly model with various axis systems and components like the undercarriage, the fuel tanks and the rotor mast.
As can be clearly seen, a lot of work is still required before I have anything useful...
First attempt at the assembly model:
Second attempt, using multiple axis systems for the main components and system lines starting to appear for the tail (green) and the tail rotor drive shaft (white). More definition to follow:
A rather comprehensive description of the project can be found here: https://www.heli-archive.ch/en/helicopters/in-depth-articles/nhi-h-3-kolibrie. It's an exceptionally well written article with information on all aspects of this project.
During the mid fifties my father was involved in the design of this Dutch helicopter, the main reason why I selected to build this rotorcraft. It was a very small helicopter, driven by two rotor tip-mounted ramjets; the noise coming from these engines was er splitting and as a child I was scared s....less, just by the sound of it. As a result, I was never to be found anywhere near the thrice darned thing.
Below a picture of the Kolibri H-1; my father is the man in center front, if I remember correctly, he was responsible for the rotor head design.
This picture was taken about a half year before my birth:
A picture of the Kolibri H-3 model:
Unfortunately, detailed information, ie drawings, are severely lacking, sofar I uncovered a few pics from an old brochure, with some dimensions and I was able to locate a sideview of the H-3 model.
Initially I thought to scale the avialble pictures to1:48 and start the build using these, but I realized rather quickly that that would be a rather bad idea; especially the rotorhead design need to be more detailed than what's shown on the drawings.
This led to the decision to define the helicopter in 3D-models. This meant I needed a 3D software package and, since I own a ten year old Macbook, it was to be compatible with the old MacOS Catalina. That ruled out the use of Fusion 360, but luckily FreeCad still runs on the old OS...
So I now find myself deep diving into mastering a new and unfamiliar Cad-program, while simultaneously trying to obtain a more or less correct product definition.
An isometric view of the H-3 model:
A 3 view sketch of the H-3 model, with some main dimensions:
A side view drawing, again of the H-3 model
(None of these picture are mine...)
After some hours spend struggling with FreeCad, I now have a basic assembly model with various axis systems and components like the undercarriage, the fuel tanks and the rotor mast.
As can be clearly seen, a lot of work is still required before I have anything useful...
First attempt at the assembly model:
Second attempt, using multiple axis systems for the main components and system lines starting to appear for the tail (green) and the tail rotor drive shaft (white). More definition to follow:
Last edited:
