Firestone XR-9B Rotocycle/GA-45D
In 1943, the Firestone Aircraft company — a subsidiary of the more famous Firestone Tire and Rubber Company based in Akron, Ohio — acquired the G&A Aircraft (originally indicating “gliders and autogiros,” it was the successor to Pitcairn Aircraft Company) and nearly 200 patents, including rights to some Pitcairn Autogiro designs.
Shortly after the cancellation of the Pitcairn’s ill-fated XO-61 program in 1943, Firestone management asked Harold Pitcairn two questions: "Why not a helicopter?" and "Could Pitcairn and his small engineering team work the G&A manufacturing operation to create a helicopter?" Pitcairn answered “yes” to both questions and proposal work began on the G&A Model 45.
After several iterations, Army Air Force approval was obtained and the GA-45C made its first flight as the XR-9 Rotocycle in March 1946. With its 'floating hub' rotor system it offered an extremely smooth and vibration-free flight with no feedback on the controls.
After less than a month the XR-9 was converted to a 2-place aircraft — the XR-9B (civil designation Model GA-45D). The GA-45D had side-by-side seating with a roomy cabin and a slightly modified rear fuselage, a 175-hp (130-kW) Franklin 6V4 engine and 30-ft (9.1-m) main rotor. Colonel H. Frank Gregory was invited to pilot the aircraft and he flew a beautiful trial flight.
Later that month another Wright Field officer arrived to evaluate the aircraft's flight characteristics. Unfamiliar with the aircraft's sensitivity, he promptly nosed it over destroying the blades, transmission and engine. All development of the GA-45 was halted in 1947 after only the two prototypes had been built.
Description: Bob Beggs
Photo credits: VFS, NASM, axis-and-allies-paintworks.com
Reference:
- “Out of the Past-Progress? From 'Glass' Autogiros to 'Rubber' Helicopters Evolutions of Pitcairn's Autogiros to Firestone's Helicopters,” Vertiflite, July/August 1996
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