Aer Lualdi L.59
Aer Lualdi · Italy · first flew 1960 · helicopter
The Aer Lualdi L.59 was an Italian helicopter that failed to reach quantity production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pod-and-boom helicopter with skid landing gear
- Extensively glazed cabin
- Engine in the nose driving the main rotor by a long driveshaft through the cabin
Look for a pod-and-boom light helicopter on skids with a glazed cabin and a nose-mounted engine.
Specifications
- The Aer Lualdi L.59 has a length of 9.08 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.6 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The L.59 was the culmination of work by Carlo Lualdi throughout the 1950s and an enlarged version of his earlier two-seat designs. Two Macchi-built prototypes began flight tests in 1960 and civil certification followed in August 1961.
Variants
Two prototypes were built. It had four seats in an extensively glazed cabin and a 260 hp Continental IO-470-D engine.
Where you'll see it
Macchi planned an initial batch of 50 but only one example was sold, one of the prototypes to the Italian Army for evaluation. The prototype was exhibited at the 1963 Paris Air Show without further orders, and one is preserved at Dosso near Ferrara.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.