posted on May, 11 2014 @ 04:32 PM
a reply to:
SirDrinksalot
You're testing my memory,lol. I think the origins of the interleaving rotor system dates back to WW2 Germany with the Flettner aircraft. The Kaman
Husky series helos and the Kmax here in the US were commercially a failure due to the extremely slow speed even for helicopters. They had a good
payload but could only fly faster as it burned off fuel. Not until they got turbine engines did things improve. As I understand it, the Husky's
greatest accomplishment was as a logging helo in the northwest.
I think there is a fellow in southern Michigan named Dick Degraw who built one as a homebuilt.
As for the coaxial system, again there's a couple of two seat homebuilts in Poland. Coaxial helos are more complex therefore maintenance hogs and
with that more expensive to operate. My major concern is their autorotational ability, if any. On the plus side, they are faster and have no torque
effect because of the opposite turning rotors.
BTW, Kamov is now building the Ka 60 that looks like our Blackhawk...go figure!