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Kellet XR-8
| XR-8 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Autogyro |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Kellett Autogiro Company |
| Maiden flight | 7 August 1944 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
The Kellett XR-8 was an autogyro built by the Kellett Autogiro Company near the end of World War II.
Development
In World War II the United States Army Air Forces were looking for a rotorcraft to use as a reconnaissance vehicle. The Kellett Aircraft Corporation had established itself as a leading developer of rotorcraft for the U.S. military. The company, founded by W. Wallace Kellett hoped to develop the autogyro concept for this role.
The helicopter that Kellett designed was designated the XR-8 by the AAF. It looked like a giant egg with two rotors perched on top. When the rotors turned, they 'meshed' with a whisking action that quickly produced the nickname 'egg-beater.'
The autogyro design had several vibration problems that were not solved in time. Unfortunately for the company, the Army went with Igor Sikorsky's VS-300 helicopter design instead.
The XR-8 flew for the first time on August 7, 1944 with Dave Driscoll, Kellett's chief pilot, at the controls. The AAF donated the XR-8 that is now preserved in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum. This XR-8, AAF serial number 43-44714, was the first of two constructed and flown. Although a technical failure, it showed military rotorcraft planners a direction not to follow in the development of bigger and better helicopters.[citation needed]
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 28 ft 8 in (8.74 m)
- Rotor diameter: 65 ft 0 in (19.81 m)
- Height: ()
- Empty weight: 3,012 kg (6,640 lb.) ()
Performance
See also
Comparable aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
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| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
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References
External links
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
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| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kellet XR-8". |
