This was the first practical helicopter and the first successful helicopter in the world to perfect the now familiar single main rotor and tail rotor design. It was constructed of an open welded tubular steel frame with three-wheel main landing gear. A three-bladed rotor was mounted at the top. A single two-bladed vertical rotor was mounted at the tail. Both rotors were powered by a four-cylinder 75-horsepower air-cooled engine connected to the rotors through a truck transmission and a series of pulleys and belts. It was first flown (tethered) in 1939 and the first untethered flight was 1940. Testing continued and in1941, the designer piloted it to a new world helicopter endurance record of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 26 seconds. It underwent several major configuration changes until late 1941 when it was flown in its final configuration; a single main lifting rotor with full roll and pitch control and a single tail rotor for both directional control and anti-torque. In 1943, it was presented to a museum. During it’s career, it had logged 102 hours, 35 minutes and 51 seconds. The development of this aircraft established the concepts and principles that were utilized in the design of the all future helicopters.
Name this aircraft. Answer by PM only. Do not answer " Was It " or with a question mark. No changing of an answer after your original submission. Any answer submitted after 1200 hrs E.S.T on the day the answer will post will not count. Answer will post on 05/20/07 at 1200 hrs E.D.T.
Brian [C):-)]