The correct answer is the Fairey Gyrodyne. On 4 December 1947, the first of the two prototypes of the Gyrodyne — a compact and streamlined helicopter weighing just over 2000kg — took off from White Waltham airport. With a 525hp Alvis Leonides radial engine, the power from which could be transmitted in variable ratios to a three-blade rotor just over 15m in diameter and to the anti-torque propeller on the starboard tip of the stub wing, the Gyrodyne behaved like a helicopter, but the same propeller also provided the necessary thrust for fast flight, when the aircraft looked almost like an autogyro. The British compound aircraft set a world speed record by flying at 200km/h on 28 June 1948. An extensively modified second prototype, renamed Jet Gyrodyne, flew in January 1954; it had two blade-tip jets, fed with air from two compressors driven by the usual Alvis Leonides radial.
The correct answer was submitted by jeaton1 and wayne baker. The standings: jeaton1 is first with 4 correct, intruder38, skybolt2003 and wayne baker have three correct, john mcgough and Viper has the Lead are third with 2 correct… Question #5 will post shortly and thanks to all who participate!
Brian [C):-)]