The first ram jet helicopter flew today in 1948!
McDonnel design.
Don,
Would that be the YH-32/HOE-1? Neat little bird.
Anybody have a photo of this one?
Anyone have a kit of this one?
No kits that I know of.
Aurora made a kit of the bottom photo, must be a rare one to find these days
Your right grandadjohn: Aurora did make a Hiller Hornet kit back around 1955 or 56. There is also a 1/72 resin kit made but I can’t remember ther manufacturer. If you want to see the real mcoy, the museum of flight in Seattle has one on display.
I did a study of this concept many years ago as a young engineer. As I recall, the little Hiller was described as “an excellent source of heat and noise, and little else” Tip jets were famous for being very fuel-inefficient.
Dan H.
Hey guys!
Just took some pics of the HOE-1
Thanks for the photo’s Jon, are you at mother rucker yet?
John,
Will be this evening. I’m actually staying with Grant overnight and will be hitting the road later on Friday. I have to report in on Sunday.
Arrived safely at Mother Rucker. Will be hitting the museum tomorrow morning (after a nice 4 miler) and I intend to take as many pics of the AV-05 Apache prototype and the AH-56 as my camera and laptop will allow. After that, I might look at another helicopter or two!
Glad you got to Mother Rucker OK, have fun at the museum, post some pic’s for us when you can. Good luck at flight school