The secrets of “made-in-Vietnam” planes

The local media in late 2003 reported two farmers in the southern province of Tay Ninh manufactured the first helicopter in Vietnam. Many people were excited and then later displeased when the local authorities didn’t allow the two farmers to test the plane.

In 1999 rice grower Le Van Danh and a rubber farmer Tran Quoc Hai, who ran a shop repairing agricultural machines for ten years, joined hands to manufacture the first helicopter in Vietnam. This is a one of a kind helicopter because manufacturers did no calculations, have any sketches or set out parameters for the plane.

Details were collected from all sources. The engine was taken from a Zil 130 car. The driving-rod was the handlebar of a Honda motorbike. The three wheels included two from a car and one from a wheelbarrow. The major seat was a car chair and the sub-chair was a swivel seat.

The propeller was made of wood, with a steel frame. The body was produced by iron. The cabin was covered by plastic glass, with two windows. This helicopter is quite big: 9m long, 3m high, wing length 9.8m, nearly 1.000 kilos in weight.

Each time the two farmers tested the helicopter, they wore helmets and tied the plane with a steel chain to the ground.

As no one really expected it to fly, the two farmers still counted it as a victory when the helicopter lifted itself 20-25m from the ground. In one trial it actually rose 40cms before the major pivot of the propeller broke.

The Ministry of Defense in April 2004 set up a scientific council to evaluate this helicopter. Experts said that this vehicle lacked all necessary details. The materials failed to meet aviation standards and the installation was contrary to the basic principle of helicopters. How could that helicopter fly when its engine could raise only half of the weight of itself?

The two farmers continued to finalize their “work” but in July 2007, the Ministry of Defense decided to ban it as unsafe.