Eurocopter press release
Eurocopter X-3
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
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bizjets101
- Rank 10
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- Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:44 pm
Re: Eurocopter X-3
Is it me or do those engine pods look like they're bouncing around a bit!
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Posthumane
- Rank 7
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- Joined: Sat May 09, 2009 6:16 pm
Re: Eurocopter X-3
Not the first time it was done. I remember seeing pictures of a Huey with a couple of turbojets mounted in a similar fashion to propel it forward and some small wings to provide extra lift. But there are a number of problems with these configurations. If you rely on the rotor to do any lifting at high speeds then you have to slow the rotor down a lot and/or go slow enough so that the rotor tips stay well below the speed of sound, otherwise you end up with some aerodynamic inefficiencies. The wings on this may be providing all the lift during cruise though, so that may not be an issue, in which case the rotor is providing just drag. It would be best if it could be stowed, but that adds a lot of technical challenges. Personally I like the tilt rotor concept (a la V-22) better for VTOL high speed aircraft, but that's just personal preference.
"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." -George Bernard Shaw
Re: Eurocopter X-3
+1Posthumane wrote:Personally I like the tilt rotor concept (a la V-22) better for VTOL high speed aircraft, but that's just personal preference.
I wonder how they avoid a retreating blade stall with a cruise speed of 220+.
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linecrew
- Rank (9)
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- Location: On final so get off the damn runway!
Re: Eurocopter X-3
You got me curious so I went and found a pic. It was called the Bell 533 and acheived 317mph:Posthumane wrote:Not the first time it was done. I remember seeing pictures of a Huey with a couple of turbojets mounted in a similar fashion to propel it forward and some small wings to provide extra lift. But there are a number of problems with these configurations.
