- McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry
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XH-20 Little Henry 
Role Experimental ramjet-rotor powered helicopter National origin United States Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft First flight 29 August 1947 Primary user United States Air Force Number built 2 The McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry was a 1940s American experimental lightweight helicopter designed and built by McDonnell Aircraft.[1]
Development
The McDonnell Model 38 was a lightweight experimental helicopter sponsored by the United States Army Air Force to test the concept of using small ramjets at the tips of the rotor blades.[1] As a functional helicopter it was of simple open-frame steel-tube construction.[1] Allocated the military designation XH-20 the first of two first flew on the 20 August 1947.[1]
Although the XH-20 flew successfully the ramjets were noisy and burnt a large amount of fuel and plans to build a larger two-seat XH-29 were abandoned.
Variants
- XH-20
- McDonnell Model 38 experimental lightweight helicopter, two built.[2]
- XH-29
- McDonnell Model 79 a proposed two-seat development, cancelled.[3]
Operator
Aircraft on display
XH-20 at the NMUSAF
- 46-689 the first XH-20 is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Specifications
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Empty weight: 290 lb (132 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × McDonnell Ramjets
- Main rotor diameter: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h; 43 kn)
See also
- Related lists
References
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e "XH-20 Little Henry Research Helicopter". Boeing. http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/littlehenry.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ Andrade 1979, p. 119
- ^ Andrade 1979, p. 121
- Bibliography
- Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
McDonnell and McDonnell Douglas military aircraft and spacecraft Fighters USAAF/US Air ForceUS Navy/USMCExportLicensedAttack US Navy/USMCTrainers US NavyTransports US Air ForceUS NavyLicensedHelicopters US Army/US Air ForceXH-20 · AH-64
US NavyXHJH · XHCH · XHRH
ExportDrones (UAVs) US NavyKDH
Experimental US Army/US Air ForceXV-1 · X-36 · F-15 STOL/MTD · Bird of Prey
Spacecraft NASAUS Air ForceUSAAC/USAAF/USAF/Joint Service Helicopter designations 1941– Numerical sequence used by USAAC/USAAF/USAF 1941–Present; US Army 1948–1956 and 1962–present; US Navy 1962–presentMain sequence
Prefix R-, 1941–1948
Prefix H-, 1948–1962
H- with a mission prefix 1962–presentR-1 • R-2 • R-3 • R-4 • R-5/H-5 • R-6/H-6 • R-7 • R-8 • R-9/H-9 • R-10/H-10 • R-11/H-11 • R-12/H-12 • R-13/H-13/OH-13/UH-13J • R-14 • R-15/H-15 • R-16/H-16 • H-17 • H-18 • H-19/UH-19 • H-20 • H-21/CH-21 • H-22 • H-23/OH-23 • H-24 • H-25/UH-25 • XH-26 • H-27 • H-28 • H-29 • H-30 • H-31 • H-32 • H-33 • H-34/CH-34 • H-35 • (H-36 not assigned) • H-37/CH-37 • (H-38 not assigned) • XH-39 • H-40 • H-41 • H-42 • H-43/HH-43 • (H-44 and H-45 not assigned) • CH-46/HH-46 • CH-47 • UH-48 • H-49 • QH-50 • XH-51 • HH-52 • CH-53/HH-53/MH-53 • CH-54 • TH-55 • AH-56 • TH-57 • OH-58 • XH-59 • UH-60/SH-60/HH-60 • YUH-61 • XCH-62 • YAH-63 • AH-64 • HH-65 • RAH-66 • TH-67 • MH-68 • (H-69 not assigned) • ARH-70 • VH-71 • UH-72
1962 redesignations
reusing old numbersLists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- McDonnell aircraft
- United States helicopters 1940–1949
- United States experimental aircraft 1940–1949
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