Photograph:
Scale model of the Molyneux XM-2000 helicopter powered by two electric motors (Molyneux – Author’s collection)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat proof of concept helicopter
Power Plant:
Specifications:
- TBA
History:
The XM-2000 was designed by Grevor Chilton Bing Molyneux, a Melbourne aeronautical engineer, in about 1953, as a two-seat twin-rotor helicopter to prove the subsequent commercial and / or military helicopter known as the XM-1000, which was to be powered by a 410 kw (550 hp) Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine, was to seat five, and was also to have twin rotors with either two blades or three blades.
In order to prove the concept a model of the proof of concept XM-2000 helicopter was built 1.21 m (4 ft) long powered by two 3.73 kw (5 hp) electric motors. With these motors it was tested in a wind tunnel, including “hovering and tilting”. A lot of development went into the design and much testing was carried out by the parent company, Molyneux Helicopter Co Pty Ltd, and with the Aeronautical Research Laboratories of the Australian Department of Supply. Testing of the scale model is known to also have been performed at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corp at Fishermen’s Bend, VIC in its wind tunnel. Certainly the scale model was completed and tested but the proof of concept two-seater is not known to have been completed or flown.