Page Content (OCR)
Opposite page: Left: Pilot support section for Hiller VZ-1 flying platform. US Navy Bottom: The second Hiller VZ-1 prototype undertaking a brief tethered test flight in late 1957 or early 1958. A number of modifications can be seen in this picture, including a raised pilot position to improve stability and control vanes below the rotors. Wheels have also been fitted to the forward struts. Hiller Helicopters This page: Top: The De Lackner Aerocycle, a competitor to the Hiller VZ-1, offering higher speed, although proving potentially dangerous to fly. US Army Right: First flown in 1959, the Hiller VZ-1E flying platform was an extreme modification of the original design, using a deep duct and no longer controllable by means of body movement. VZ-1E proved unsatisfactory in most respects and the project was finally cancelled in 1963. US Army PIV IR Uomo aLe project was finally cancelled in 1963. US Army OR EROP UN to cn Ce Far right: US Army Captain Selmer A Sundby who undertook the De Lackner Aerocycle trials at Fort Eustis, from 1956 onwards. He was an experienced US Army test pilot who had undertaken more than 1500 hours on fixed-wing and rotary-winged aircraft. The De Lackner Aerocycle flights lasted from a few seconds to 43 minutes and there were two accidents, but Captain Sundby escaped without serious injury on both occasions. US Army deeper duct, a circular landing skid, flight controls that were more in keeping with a helicopter and a seat for the pilot (because kinaesthetic control was no longer effective). This platform flew in 1959 but it was apparent that these vehicles were too slow, difficult to handle, fuel-thirsty and susceptible to dam- age in a combat situation. Most of the advan- tages associated with the original design were now lost and the project was finally cury 40hp (29.8kW) outboard motor, which 1201b (54kg). The platform first flew during abandoned in 1963. The first flying platform is drove two 15ft (4.57m) contra-rotating rotors January 1955 and was evaluated by the US now with the Hiller Aviation Museum and the _ positioned beneath the platform. The pilot Army who ordered twelve for development. National Air & Space Museum has another — stood above the rotors and was secured in Despite early claims that a complete novice VZ-1. According to Hiller six examples of this place with a harness. He controlled the vehi- _ could fly the platform, this does not appear to design were completed, but the fate of the cle with motorcycle-style handlebars fitted have been the case and HZ-1 was potentially other four remains unknown. The VZ-1 was — with a twisting throttle and by using body dangerous when operated close to the briefly revived during the 1970s with ideas for sway to direct the vehicle in the same man- ground and especially near rough terrain. using a gas turbine engine to drive the rotors, ner as Zimmerman’s Flying Shoes and the Many test flights were conducted by Captain but this came to nothing. Hiller VZ-1. Landing gear consisted of one Selmer Sundby, who experienced two acci- Another one-man flying machine was __ airbag directly below the rotors and four addi- dents while flying the HZ-1. In both cases developed during the early 1950s by the New _ tional airbags at the end of booms, although _ these were caused by the collision of rotor York-based De Lackner Helicopter Company this arrangement was later replaced with — blades, which flexed, made contact and dis- and it shared a number of similarities with the _ metal skids. integrated, leading to an immediate loss of Hiller VZ-1 VTOL platform. Initially called the HZ-1 was significantly faster than the Hiller _ lift. Fortunately, neither accident resulted in DH-4 Helivector, it was later renamed the HZ-1___ VZ-1 with an estimated top speed of 70mph _ serious injury to Captain Sundby, who was Aerocycle. This machine was little more than (113km/h), a duration of one hour anda pay- awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in a framework supporting a four-cylinder Mer- load capacity (in addition to the pilot) of 1958 for his evaluation of this aircraft. Nothing Far right: US Army Captain Selmer A Sundby who undertook the De Lackner Aerocycle trials at Fort Eustis, from 1956 onwards. He was an experienced US Army test pilot who had undertaken more than 1500 hours on fixed-wing and rotary-winged aircraft. The De Lackner Aerocycle flights lasted from a few seconds to 43 minutes and there were two accidents, but Captain Sundby escaped without serious injury on both occasions. US Army cury 40hp (29.8kW) outboard motor, which drove two 15ft (4.57m) contra-rotating rotors positioned beneath the platform. The pilot stood above the rotors and was secured in place with a harness. He controlled the vehi- cle with motorcycle-style handlebars fitted with a twisting throttle and by using body sway to direct the vehicle in the same man- ner as Zimmerman’s Flying Shoes and the Hiller VZ-1. Landing gear consisted of one airbag directly below the rotors and four addi- tional airbags at the end of booms, although this arrangement was later replaced with metal skids. HZ-1 was significantly faster than the Hiller VZ-1 with an estimated top speed of 70mph (113km/h), a duration of one hour and a pay- load capacity (in addition to the pilot) of 1201b (54kg). The platform first flew during January 1955 and was evaluated by the US Army who ordered twelve for development. Despite early claims that a complete novice could fly the platform, this does not appear to have been the case and HZ-1 was potentially dangerous when operated close to the ground and especially near rough terrain. Many test flights were conducted by Captain Selmer Sundby, who experienced two acci- dents while flying the HZ-1. In both cases these were caused by the collision of rotor blades, which flexed, made contact and dis- integrated, leading to an immediate loss of lift. Fortunately, neither accident resulted in serious injury to Captain Sundby, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1958 for his evaluation of this aircraft. Nothing Fans and Ducts 137 Centre: The first prototype Hiller VZ-1 flying platform is put through its paces in 1955. US Navy Right: The Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee flying platform, photographed during a test flight in 1955. US Navy