Fairey Rotodyne compound gyroplane - photos

[Altair]

Fairey Rotodyne compound gyroplane with tip-jet rotor/turboprop propulsion. One prototype was built in the 1950s.








Previously:

American Helicopter XH-26 tip jet helicopter - photo and video
Fiat Model 7002 helicopter - photos
Hughes XV-9 research helicopter - photo
Platt-LePage XR-1A helicopter - photo and video
Hughes HX-17 heavy-lift helicopter - photos

[sossol]

The Rotodyne was one of the most graceful aircraft of the era, IMHO. Brilliant engineering all the way through.

The rotor was powered by engine exhaust routed through the nozzles at the tips rather than geared like other gyrocraft. it's part of what led to its cancel. it was very loud, especially when performing a vertical takeoff or landing, which was a secondary function.
The upper portion of the vertical stabs pivots from vertical to 45* out.

Neil