McDonnell XHJH Whirlaway

XHJH Whirlaway
Role	Experimental twin-rotor helicopter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Aircraft
First flight	August 1944
Number built	1

The McDonnell XHJH Whirlaway was a 1940s American experimental twin-rotor helicopter designed and built by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.^[1][2] It was the first successful twin-engined, twin rotor helicopter in the world.^[2] The Whirlaway was the largest helicopter flown up to that time.^[3]

Design and development

In 1944, the United States Navy issued a requirement for a large rescue helicopter with a capacity for ten occupants. The design was originally started by Douglas Aircraft and designated XHJD-1, following the merger with McDonnell it was re-designated the XHJH-1 before it was completed. The XHJH-1 first flew in August 1944, and had twin side-by-side 46 ft (14 m) rotors at the end of pylon wings which turned in opposite directions. Each rotor was powered by a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine.^[2]

Variants

XHJD-1

Original United States Navy designation.^[1]

XHJH-1

Designation changed before first flight.^[1]

Aircraft on display

The sole XHJH-1 is held by the National Air and Space Museum.^{[citation needed]}

Specifications

Data from ^[2]

General characteristics

• Length: 32 ft 2 in (9.80 m)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 , 450 hp (340 kW) each
• Main rotor diameter: 2× 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h; 100 kn)
• Cruise speed: 90 mph (78 kn; 140 km/h)
• Range: 300 mi (261 nmi; 483 km)

See also

Related lists

• List of rotorcraft
  

References

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Andrade 1979, p. 194
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "American airplanes - McDonnell". www.aerofiles.com. 25 March 2008. http://aerofiles.com/_mcdon.html. Retrieved 2010-02-16. 
3. ^ http://www.boeing.com/history/narrative/n028mcd.html

Bibliography

• Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN ISBN 0-904597-22-9. 

External links

• McDonnell XHJD-1 Whirlaway in NAMS Collection