American experimental heavy-lift turbine-powered helicopter, with a lifting capacity of 10,284 lb (4,665 kg) and a maximum takeoff weight of 43,500 lb (19,731 kg). It had a two-bladed main rotor system with a diameter of 134 feet (41 m), still holding the world record for flying with the largest rotor system.
A sort of Frankenstein machine, parts of the design came up from a variety of aircraft to sped up production: The front wheels came from a North American B-25 Mitchell and the rear wheels from a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, the fuel tank was a bomb bay-mounted unit from a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the cockpit was from a Waco CG-15military glider, and the tail rotor from a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasawthat was used for yaw control.
Project cancelled after it was deemed too inefficient, with a paltry range of just 40 miles (64 km).
A monthly dinner for our aviation museum featured the first test pilot for this aircraft. In so many ways, this aircraft was amazing in its complexity.
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