This aircraft had a side-by-side rotor arrangement thought to be the most suitable configuration for large helicopters and it made its first hover flight in April, 1946. Designed to carry up to ten occupants but normally flown as a two-seater this aircraft was fitted with twin side-by-side rotors each powered by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney radial engine in an unusual configuration that provided substantial improvement in overall performance efficiency. It also had the ability to transmit power from either engine to both rotors by transmissions and gear boxes, allowing it to maintain level flight at full gross weight on the power of only one engine. From 1946 until 1951, this aircraft was used for numerous flying research tests including performance, stability balance and vibration characteristics peculiar to its twin-rotor configuration. In the process, rotors of varying diameters were tested and a different fuselage configuration was tested.
Once vibration and resonance problems with its unsynchronized three-blade rotors were solved, it was considered to handle well and was flown some 250 hours without serious mishap In the process. However, as helicopter technology had made significant progress since it’s development had been initiated, it was never put into production. Upon completion of its trials program, the prototype - the first helicopter to bear this company’s name and the world’s first successful twin-engined, twin-rotor helicopter was donated to a museum.
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 05/30/07 at 1200 hrs E.D.T.
Brian [C):-)]