Hiller ROE Rotorcycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiller_ROE_Rotorcycle

The Hiller ROE Rotorcycle was a single seat ultralight helicopter designed in
1953 for a military requirement. A total of 12 were produced for the United
States Marine Corps. And in 1954, the Hiller Helicopters was selected by the US
Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics to build this design of a one man, foldable,
self-rescue and observation helicopter. It featured a two blade rotor system.
Its original empty weight was 290 lb (132 kg).

The helicopter folded up and could be carried on a sled-like carrier by two
people or could be air-dropped to pilots trapped behind enemy lines. The Marines
did not accept the YROE due to its low performance, vulnerability to small-arms
fire and the lack of visual references on the structure. This problem could
cause the pilot to experience spatial disorientation at all but very low
altitudes. The YROE or ROE never saw military service.


Role
ultralight helicopter

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Hiller Aircraft
Saunders-Roe

First flight
November 1956

Introduction
1957

Retired
1961

Primary user
United States Marine Corps

Number built
12

In 1954 the United States Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics selected Hiller to build
its proposed design of a one-man helicopter. The XROE Rotocycle completed flight
testing in mid-1957.

It was demonstrated at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, for military and
other government officials in early April 1958.
Production was by Saunders-Roe, which made five for the United States Marine
Corps and five for Helicop-Air of Paris.

A Porsche engine of 62 hp (46 Kw) developed for the YROE completed trials by
1961.

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Rotor diameter: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Empty weight: 309 lb (140 kg)
Useful load: 270 lb (122 kg)
Loaded weight: 562 lb (255 kg)
*Fuel: 9.1 L (2.4 U.S. gal)
Powerplant: × Nelson H-59 piston engine, 40 hp (30 kW), later Nelson YO-65-2
four-cylinder, two-cycle engine, 43 hp (32 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 70 mph
Cruise speed: 52 mph (84 km/h)
Range: 166 mi (267 km) () with 170 lb (77 kg) pilot and 86 lb (39 kg) of fuel
Service ceiling: 9,200 ft () in ground effect
Rate of climb: 1,160 ft/min (5,9 m/s)





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