Hoppi-Copter | |
---|---|
Pentecost HX-1 Hoppi-Copter on display at Pima Air & Space Museum, in Arizona, U.S. | |
Role | Backpack helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Hoppi-Copters Inc. |
First flight | c. 1940 |
The Hoppi-Copter was a functional backpack helicopter developed by the American company Hoppi-Copters Inc. founded by Horace T. Pentecost in the 1940s. [1] The original Hoppi-Copter consisted of two contra-rotating rotors on a pole attached to a motorized backpack. [2] Although it was capable of flight, it was extremely hard to control. [3]
Later prototypes of the Hoppi-Copter included versions with the pilot in a sitting position, and were in effect miniature one-man helicopters of a more conventional design, though retaining the contra-rotating rotors and thus obviating a tail rotor. [1] [4] Despite interest from the British Ministry of Supply in the 102 and 104 models, [5] none were adopted commercially. [3]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1948 [4]
General characteristics
Performance
Hoppi-Copter | |
---|---|
Pentecost HX-1 Hoppi-Copter on display at Pima Air & Space Museum, in Arizona, U.S. | |
Role | Backpack helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Hoppi-Copters Inc. |
First flight | c. 1940 |
The Hoppi-Copter was a functional backpack helicopter developed by the American company Hoppi-Copters Inc. founded by Horace T. Pentecost in the 1940s. [1] The original Hoppi-Copter consisted of two contra-rotating rotors on a pole attached to a motorized backpack. [2] Although it was capable of flight, it was extremely hard to control. [3]
Later prototypes of the Hoppi-Copter included versions with the pilot in a sitting position, and were in effect miniature one-man helicopters of a more conventional design, though retaining the contra-rotating rotors and thus obviating a tail rotor. [1] [4] Despite interest from the British Ministry of Supply in the 102 and 104 models, [5] none were adopted commercially. [3]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1948 [4]
General characteristics
Performance