Jos Heyman
ACCESS: Top Secret
- Joined
- 15 February 2007
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In 1954/55 Kaman developed the Rotochute for the USMC through a contract with the Office of Naval Research. The purpose of the Rotochute was to allow pinpointg supply drops from fast flying aircraft.
The Rotochute comsisted of two rotors attached to a hub which was attached to a standard supply container. During transport on an external bombrack the rotorblades were folded back by 90 degrees and telescoped into half their length. After rfelase the rotor blades would start spinning automatically and move to full a rotation position due to centrifugal force.
In 1955 Kaman undertook of 700 test drops with a variety of aircraft including Grumman Tigercats.
I found this information and the photo in Naval Aviation News of March 1955, p. 18
Of course is debateable whether this is a helicopter or not. I think it is.....
BTW, Kaman seemed to have developed the concept further in later years.
The Rotochute comsisted of two rotors attached to a hub which was attached to a standard supply container. During transport on an external bombrack the rotorblades were folded back by 90 degrees and telescoped into half their length. After rfelase the rotor blades would start spinning automatically and move to full a rotation position due to centrifugal force.
In 1955 Kaman undertook of 700 test drops with a variety of aircraft including Grumman Tigercats.
I found this information and the photo in Naval Aviation News of March 1955, p. 18
Of course is debateable whether this is a helicopter or not. I think it is.....
BTW, Kaman seemed to have developed the concept further in later years.
