Gyrocopters and compound helicopters

[icchan]

That high-speed mixed-up variant of the whirlybird doesn't appear to have a thread.  (or my search-fu fails)  So I was going to ask, outside of the Speedhawk H-60 variant, the old AH-56 Cheyenne, and some various test aircraft from Fairey what else was there?  Suggestions on websites and such, or other resources.  Might as well start collecting data!

I admit, I've always loved the look of the Cheyenne ever since I first saw it.  I really do like the idea of the not-quite-so-stub wings there, and the 60 knot speed advantage over the AH-1 is a big thing.  How was it best to use the things?  Primarily as a helicopter, hiding over hill over dale and along the dusty trail?  Or as a light plane, approaching and sowing death more personally?

So, post your thoughts on the things.  Overly complex monster trying to kill itself, or a decent potential left unexplored?

[Joe C-P]

I do wish someone would come out with a new model of the AH-56. I've wanted to build one as a USN attack aircraft, perhaps for Vietnam, or maybe with a 1990's update for coastal and riverine patrol in Iraq.

[deathjester]

That high-speed mixed-up variant of the whirlybird doesn't appear to have a thread.  (or my search-fu fails)  So I was going to ask, outside of the Speedhawk H-60 variant, the old AH-56 Cheyenne, and some various test aircraft from Fairey what else was there?  Suggestions on websites and such, or other resources.  Might as well start collecting data!

I admit, I've always loved the look of the Cheyenne ever since I first saw it.  I really do like the idea of the not-quite-so-stub wings there, and the 60 knot speed advantage over the AH-1 is a big thing.  How was it best to use the things?  Primarily as a helicopter, hiding over hill over dale and along the dusty trail?  Or as a light plane, approaching and sowing death more personally?

So, post your thoughts on the things.  Overly complex monster trying to kill itself, or a decent potential left unexplored?

Apparently, it worked pretty well as a divebomber, using its drive prop as an airbrake by changing the pitch of the blades.  The usaf, however, did not like the army having that sort of capability, and griped until it was cancelled.  Lockheed had actually fixed its teething troubles.....

[Jschmus]

Sikorsky's X2 concept aircraft is a compound:
http://bit.ly/hHrE4S

[skysurfer808]

Sikorsky's X2 concept aircraft is a compound:
http://bit.ly/hHrE4S

That thing has the potential to be a game changer in the rotary wing world.  A speed approaching that of the Osprey without the complication of tiltrotar technology.  If the X2 can be built into something that can carry 6-8 troops or so or weapons, you've have a real winner.

Skysurfer808

[anthonyp]

I do wish someone would come out with a new model of the AH-56. I've wanted to build one as a USN attack aircraft, perhaps for Vietnam, or maybe with a 1990's update for coastal and riverine patrol in Iraq.

I'm taking the Anigrand one and rebuilding it with a different glass house for the crew, and a more modern rotor based on the AH-64 or SH-60B.  Not sure on the route I'm going yet on the rotor, but it's definitely getting either an Apache or Whiskey Cobra greenhouse in my modernization.

[rallymodeller]

I do wish someone would come out with a new model of the AH-56. I've wanted to build one as a USN attack aircraft, perhaps for Vietnam, or maybe with a 1990's update for coastal and riverine patrol in Iraq.

I'm taking the Anigrand one and rebuilding it with a different glass house for the crew, and a more modern rotor based on the AH-64 or SH-60B.  Not sure on the route I'm going yet on the rotor, but it's definitely getting either an Apache or Whiskey Cobra greenhouse in my modernization.

Don't get too far away from Lockheed's design -- part of the reason the Cheyenne worked like it did was the rotor Lockheed designed for it, the hub especially. As far as the greenhouse, a widened Apache greenhouse might work, 'cause of the gunner's 360° rotating seat. The one from the Whiskey Cobra would be too narrow.

[rickshaw]

A speed approaching that of the Osprey without the complication of tiltrotar technology. 

The West had that ability back in 1960 but threw it away.   I am of course referring to the elephant in the room - the Fairey (later Westland) Rotodyne.   

[rallymodeller]

A speed approaching that of the Osprey without the complication of tiltrotar technology. 

The West had that ability back in 1960 but threw it away.   I am of course referring to the elephant in the room - the Fairey (later Westland) Rotodyne.   

Different kettle of fish. The Rotodyne had problems of it's own, namely the crushing wall of noise it made.

[rickshaw]

A speed approaching that of the Osprey without the complication of tiltrotar technology. 

The West had that ability back in 1960 but threw it away.   I am of course referring to the elephant in the room - the Fairey (later Westland) Rotodyne.   

Different kettle of fish. The Rotodyne had problems of it's own, namely the crushing wall of noise it made.

You mean the noise which was the same volume as a DC-8?  You mean the noise which was less than that produced by a V-22 Osprey today?

As far as military aircraft are concerned, the noise issue is largely a non-starter.   For civilian ones, the Rotodyne had improved silencers which had been developed and were to be installed in the production variant, which would have substantially lowered it.

As the Rotodyne only produced excessive noise in the descent, hover and ascent, whereas conventional helicopters/tiltrotors/etc., produce excessive noise in all flight modes, the noise issue was a convenient excuse, nothing more.

[Weaver]

I always did like that Sikorsky co-axial rigid blade technology - got concept art of it from the mid 1980s somewhere. It was called CACR back then: Co-Axial Counter-Rotating.

Eurocopter have one as well, called the X3. Different concept though:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/regions/weur/Eurocopter-X3-Demonstrator-Targets-220-Knots_71278.html

[Green Dragon]

I quite like the armed scout mock up. http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/05/sikorsky-unveils-mock-up-x2-ar.html

Paul Harrison

[Green Dragon]

Here's the Wiki for the Sikorsky S-97 Raider. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-97_Raider

Paul Harrison