Boeing T50 Explained

The Boeing T50 (company designation Model 502) was a small turboshaft engine produced by Boeing. It was the first turboshaft engine to ever power a helicopter: a modified Kaman K-225 in 1951.[1] Based on Boeing's earlier Model 500 gas generator, the T50's main application was in the QH-50 DASH helicopter drone of the 1950s. An up-rated version designated Model 550 was developed to power the QH-50D and was given the military designation T50-BO-12.

Two T50 were tested on a HTK-1 (Kaman HH-43 Huskie) in the 1950s, which was the first test of twin turbine engine on a helicopter.[2]

Variants

T50-BO-1:
  • T50-BO-2:
  • T50-BO-4:270abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 6,000 output rpm, military rating turboprop.[3]
  • T50-BO-6:
  • T50-BO-8:300abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 5,950 output rpm, revised reduction gear ratio, fuelsystem and other changes.[3]
  • T50-BO-8A:
  • T50-BO-10:330abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 6,000 output rpm[3]
  • T50-BO-12:
  • 502-1-1:Auxiliary power unit
  • 502-2E:Turboprop, 175abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 2,900 output rpm max. continuous at sea level.[4]
  • 502-7B:Compressed air generator.[4]
  • 502-8A:Turboshaft.[4]
  • 502-8B:Turboprop, 210abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 37,500 compressor rpm for take-off.[4]
  • 502-10B:Turboprop, 270abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 37,500 compressor rpm for take-off.[4]
  • 502-10C:Turboshaft power unit / gas producer
  • 502-10F:[5]
  • 502-10V: (T50-BO-4)
  • 502-10VB: 325abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 3,000 output rpm, variant of -10V / T50-B0-4 with revised reduction gear ratio.[3]
  • 502-10VC: (T50-BO-8)
  • 502-11:Compressed air generator.[4]
  • 502-11B:
  • 502-12B:
  • 502-W
  • 502-14: (T50-BO-10)
  • 550-1: (T50-BO-12)
  • Applications

    T50 (Model 502)
    GT502

    See also

    References

    Bibliography

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Comparison of Helicopters Turboshaft Engines . . 2015-12-17 . Schenderlein . John . Clayton . Tyler . 2 . PDF . 2023-06-07 .
    2. Web site: Kaman Helicopters . 2024-05-16 . www.airvectors.net.
    3. Book: Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. 1962. Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd. London.
    4. Book: Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1955-56. 1955. Jane's all the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd.. London.
    5. Book: Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959–60 . Bridgman . Leonard . 1959 . Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd . London . 521–522.