Hughes XV-9 research helicopter - photo

[Altair]

The Hughes XV-9 was research helicopter designed and built to prove the viability of hot-cycle propulsion, a type of propulsion where the jet efflux was ducted to nozzles at the blade tips.

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



Previously:

Mil V-12 transport helicopter - photo
Vertol VZ-2 V/STOL research aircraft - photo
Platt-LePage XR-1A helicopter - photo and video
Flying jeep Curtiss-Wright VTOL quadrotor helicopter - photo
Bell HSL-1 helicopter - photo
Hughes HX-17 heavy-lift helicopter - photos

[owen moore]

Check out the Hiller Hornet. It also did not require a tail rotor, as it used tiny jet engines on the blade tips. No counter rotation problem, just a rudder. I'll bet it was a scary little devil for the first test pilot.