LF7242 PITCAIRN PA-44 (YO-61)

The Pitcairn PA-44 (another designation: Pitcairn XO-61) was a prototype American gyroplane (autogyro) from the Second World War. The length of the machine fuselage was 8.68 meters, and the diameter of the main rotor was 14.63 meters. The drive was provided by a single Jacobs R-915 engine with a capacity of 325 HP. The maximum speed was up to 165 km / h, and the take-off weight was around 1,350 kilograms. The Pitcairn PA-44 was developed by order of the United States Air Force as a light reconnaissance and communication machine. It uses a cabin with a high degree of glazing and a system with a pushing rather than a pulling propeller, which was rather rare in this type of constructions. The machine did not enter serial production for two reasons. Firstly, it uses an engine that generates significant cooling problems and a tendency to overheat, and secondly - the operator withdrew from the project in favor of classic helicopters. It is assumed that the Pitcairn PA-44 was one of the last gyroplanes built in the USA.