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04/30/2008. Designed by Gilbert McGill of the Rotor-Craft Corp., Glendale, California, the Pinwheel was a lightweight helicopter that could carry a single fully-armed soldier. It was powered by diminutive 25 lb (11.3 kg) st Rotor-Craft R-1 rockets, one fitted to each of the two rotor blades, propelled by liquid 90% hydrogen-peroxide. It was first flown in April 1954 and had completed some 300 test flights by spring 1960. The sole example of the first rocket-powered helicopter was damaged beyond repair during a test flight and the program was subsequently abandoned. |
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