MBB Bo 105
The Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose helicopter developed by Bölkow of Ottobrunn, West Germany. It was the first light twin-engine helicopter in the world, and the first rotorcraft that could perform aerobatic maneuvers such as inverted loops. The Bo 105 features a hingeless rotor system, a pioneering innovation in helicopters when it was introduced into service in 1970. Production of the Bo 105 began at the then-recently merged Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB).
| Bo 105 | |
|---|---|
| A Bo 105 flying with Luftrettung Bundesministerium des Innern | |
| Role | Light utility helicopter |
| National origin | West Germany |
| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) |
| First flight | 16 February 1967 |
| Introduction | 1970 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Republic of Korea Army Indonesian Army Spanish Army Philippine Navy |
| Produced | 1967–2001 |
| Number built | 1,500+ |
The main production facilities for producing the Bo 105 were located in Germany and Canada; due to the level of export sales encountered, additional manufacturing lines were set up in Spain, Indonesia, and the Philippines. MBB became a part of Eurocopter in 1991, who continued production of the type until 2001. The Bo 105 was formally replaced in Eurocopter's product range by the newer Eurocopter EC135.