1929 barrelplane; 80hp LeRhône rotary.
Curious tilt-wing experiment used a rotating barrel to create a theoretical "cyclonic vortex" at 200 rpm for thrust. The barrel and top-mounted wing would be tilted for take-off, and the angle of incidence reduced for level flight at altitude. Lateral control was from fairings moving individually or in unison as ailerons and elevators, even as flaps. US patent #1,743,467 issued in 1929.
It failed to fly on its highly-advertised test flight, vibrated fitfully, and finally collapsed on itself. The remains were pushed off a pier into Mission Bay by a thoroughly disgusted Maiwurm
skip ahead to 3:06 to see it in action
Unfortunately, we do not see the airplane with the rotary motor take off aa fly. Did it ever fly?
ReplyDeletehidden under the patents I wrote "It failed to fly on its highly-advertised test flight, vibrated fitfully, and finally collapsed on itself. The remains were pushed off a pier into Mission Bay by a thoroughly disgusted Maiwurm"
DeleteI need to move that sentence somewhere easier to see