Kellett Autogiro Corporation
Kellett XR-8
The Kellett XR‑8 was an experimental twin‑rotor autogyro built by the Kellett Autogiro Corporation in the early 1940s as a response to the U.S. Army Air Forces’ quest for a more capable liaison and observation platform. First flown in October 1943, the aircraft featured a tandem‑rotor arrangement driven by a single 300 hp Pratt & Whitney R‑985 radial engine mounted in the nose; power was transmitted to the forward and aft rotors through a system of shafts and gearboxes. The airframe accommodated a pilot and an observer in a streamlined, enclosed cabin, and it employed a fixed tricycle undercarriage with a modest 2,000‑lb payload capacity.
Two prototypes received the Army designation XR‑8, and a further three were built as YR‑8 evaluation models. Although the design demonstrated good low‑speed handling and short‑takeoff characteristics, persistent vibration, complex drivetrain maintenance, and the rapid emergence of true helicopters limited its operational promise. The program was terminated in 1945, but the XR‑8’s twin‑rotor concept contributed valuable data on rotor‑craft dynamics, influencing later helicopter development and cementing Kellett’s role as a pioneering force in early rotary‑wing aviation.
Two prototypes received the Army designation XR‑8, and a further three were built as YR‑8 evaluation models. Although the design demonstrated good low‑speed handling and short‑takeoff characteristics, persistent vibration, complex drivetrain maintenance, and the rapid emergence of true helicopters limited its operational promise. The program was terminated in 1945, but the XR‑8’s twin‑rotor concept contributed valuable data on rotor‑craft dynamics, influencing later helicopter development and cementing Kellett’s role as a pioneering force in early rotary‑wing aviation.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1944
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Kellett Autogiro Corporation
- Wikidata ID
- Q3012851