Continental Copters El Tomcat
# Continental Copters El Tomcat

The Continental Copters El Tomcat was a 1950s American single-seat agricultural helicopter converted from a Bell 47G by Continental Copters of Fort Worth Texas. The first helicopter (the El Tomcat II) first flew in 1959 and was followed by a number of variants.

## Variants

### El Tomcat Mk.II

    Bell 47G-2 modified extensively for agricultural spraying. First flew in April 1959.

### El Tomcat Mk.III

    Improved version of the Mk.II, it first flew in April 1965.

### El Tomcat Mk.IIIA

    Powered by the Franklin 6V4-200, 6V-335, or 6V-350 engines.

### El Tomcat Mk.IIIB

    Featured a modified fiberglass nose with a repositioned windscreen and a lower cabin roof, and was powered by the 235 hp Franklin 6V-350-A. Produced in 1967.

### El Tomcat Mk.IIIC

    Improved version with 200 hp Franklin 6V4-200-C32, 210 hp 6V-335-A, or 235 hp 6V-350-A engines.

### El Tomcat Mk.V

    First flown in June 1968, it was powered by a 220 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1A.

### El Tomcat Mk.V-A

    Powered by a 260 hp Lycoming VO-435-A1F with a foldable jump-seat.

### El Tomcat Mk.V-B

    Powered by a 265 hp Lycoming VO-435-B1A.

## Specifications (V-A)

Data from Aircraft World Directory

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
* Height: 2.87 ft 9.5 in (1.116 m)
* Empty weight: 1,375 lb (623 kg)
* Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
* Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435 , 260 hp (194 kW)
* Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 1.5 in (11.32 m)

Performance

* Cruise speed: 65 mph (104 km/h, 56 kn)
