The Agusta A-104 experimental helicopter is one of the first helicopter design fully developed in Italy.
It was derived as twin seats from the A-103 prototype, developed in 1958-59 by Domenico Agusta initiative and abandoned after 140 hours of ground test and 5 in flight test.
Main characteristics are: full light-alloy structure, rear boom easily removable for transportation, semi-rigid twin blade rotor with Bell type balance rod. Powered by an A-140 four strokes, opposed piston engine fitted vertically, made by Meccanica Verghera (MV), the manufacturer of the well known competition motorbikes own by Agusta. The A-104 performed its maiden flight on 29th September 1960 in Cascina Costa piloted by the test flight chief Ottorino Lancia. It was followed also by only one prototype powered by a turbocharged engine, always built by MV Agusta, but, after five test flights hours, the program was abandoned in order to concentrate all the technical resources to launch the production under licence of the Bell AB-204 helicopter.
The A-104 I-AGUM prototype shown is the production number 4002. It had a short flight activity up to the aero-navigability certificate expiration date on 6th June 1961. Stored in Agusta, recently reconditioned by the Amici di Volandia volunteers it was assigned in the 2007 to the Volandia Parco e Museo dell’Aeronautica.