Curtiss-Bleecker SX-5-1 helicopter - photo and video

[Altair]

Curtiss-Bleecker SX-5-1 helicopter featuring a rotary wing design.

Fullsize image: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...r_fullsize.jpg


0:58 video:

Previously:

Igor Sikorsky test flying the VS-300 helicopter - GIF
1954 Kellett KH-15 helicopter - video
Platt-LePage XR-1A helicopter - photo and video
1922 Pescara helicopter - GIF
Fiat Model 7002 helicopter - photos

[schuylergrace]

I wonder how they kept the fuselage from spinning. I read that cute little tale they were wagging controls yaw, but I don't see how that would work very well either to stop the aforementioned spinning or to point the nose of the aircraft where the pilot wanted it to face.

[IntheGroove]

I doubt that thing ever got off the ground...

[BuffaloJohn]

It looks like it probably did fly, but a bit on the complicated side... accordsing to wiki...

"The aircraft featured a rotary wing design with a single engine. Each rotor, painted silver and yellow, had an individual propeller for thrust and a trailing control surface called a "stabovator" to change pitch of the rotor. The aircraft was controlled by a stick that operated like a modern helicopter collective control. Yaw was controlled with a "Spin Vane" that used downwash from the rotor to pivot the aircraft with foot pedals."

Seriously, with a device called a stabovator, how could it not work?

[Frank S]

It
Seriously, with a device called a stabovator, how could it not work?

OH sure everything would be fine until the turbo encabulator shorts out

[Gadgeteer]

This fellow has had some success with the theory.

https://www.youtube.com/@amazingdiyprojects