McDonnell XHJH Whirlaway

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1946 · helicopter

The McDonnell XHJH-1 Whirlaway was an experimental US Navy helicopter prototype featuring a synchropter (intermeshing contra-rotating rotor) layout, representing McDonnell Aircraft's first foray into rotary-wing aviation in the mid-1940s.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Twin intermeshing contra-rotating rotor helicopter prototype
• McDonnell's first helicopter design for the US Navy
• Synchropter layout with two meshing rotors on angled masts

Two angled rotor masts rising from the fuselage with intermeshing blades — no tail rotor; the distinctive synchropter layout sets it apart from conventional helicopters of the period.

Specifications

• The McDonnell XHJH Whirlaway has a length of 9.8 m (32 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 12.5 m (41 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 193 km/h (120 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

McDonnell designed the XHJH Whirlaway in the early post-war period using the intermeshing rotor system pioneered by Anton Flettner. The design eliminated the need for a tail rotor by using two rotors on angled masts rotating in opposite directions. Three prototypes were built and tested for the US Navy from 1946, but the Navy did not order production.

Variants

Three XHJH-1 prototypes were built; no production variant followed.

Where you'll see it

Tested by the US Navy at NAS Patuxent River but not adopted for fleet service; McDonnell subsequently focused on fixed-wing jet fighters.

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• McDonnell FH-1 Phantom
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• McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry
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• Brantly B-1
• Firestone XR-9
• Sikorsky HO2S-1

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