ROBERT HODGSON MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 6451. Aerotechnica AC-12 EC-XZ-2 (Z.2-6) Spanish Air Force
Photographed at the Museo del Aire, Cuatro Vientos Airport, Madrid, Spain, September 2, 2006, by Robert Hodgson

Aerotechnica AC-12 EC-XZ-2

05/15/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The French engineer Jean Cantinieau, had designed in France the C.100 (first flight November 10, 1951), the MC.101 (built by Matra, first flight November 11, 1952) and the Nord Aviation (SNCAN) N.1750 Norelfe (Elfe) (first flight December 28, 1954).

Also in 1952, the Marquis del Merito founded Aerotécnica S.A. at Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain, as an aerial-photography and crop-spraying business. He became interested in these helicopters and contracted Jean Cantinieau in 1953. The two MC.101s built were transferred to Spain and redesignated Aerotécnica AC-11. In 1955 the two N.1750s built were also transferred to Spain and designated Aerotécnica AC-13A.

Based on the AC-11 was the AC-12, a side-by-side two-seater, powered by an 168 hp Lycoming O-360-B2A fan-cooled reciprocating engine. The two prototypes were built by the aircraft manufacturer AISA, propeller manufacturer ENHASA produced the blades, transmission and reduction gear; the first was flown on July 20, 1956. The Spanish AF ordered 12 production examples and they were designated Z.2 (later redesignated H.2), nicknamed "Pepo" the last was withdrawn from use in 1967.

The last helicopter developed by Aerotécnica was the five-seat AC-14 based on the AC-13A, although fitted with a conventional tail rotor it was powered by a 400 shp Turboméca Artouste II. The Spanish AF ordered 10 production examples and they were designated Z.4 (later redesignated H.4), they were built by ENHASA and served a relative short period.

Aerotecnica went into liquidation in 1962."


Created May 15, 2007