The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of the world’s only surviving Kellett XR-8 experimental helicopter after countless hours of work by talented volunteers.
Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. The XR-8 first flew on August 7, 1944. Though the XR-8 was a revolutionary design, the Kellett Aircraft Corporation encountered significant problems with stability control and timing the rotors. The company modified the vertical stabilizers in an attempt to resolve some of these issues. Because of these and other complications, Kellett only produced two XR-8s before cancelling the program.
An official photo shoot was carried out on Monday. Plans call for the machine to be placed by the Vertijet in the museum’s R&D Gallery this October. The fabric covering on the left side of the fuselage has been removed to showcase interior views.
Check out a video showing the restoration process and final product below.
Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]
