Note that the description given in the actual auction is not accurate.
HUGHES PROTOTYPE MODEL XV-9A HOT CYCLE HELICOPTER
From estate of late military helicopter test pilot and holder of Sikorsky built helicopter speed record comes this unique-one of a kind- sturdy resin model on heavy aircraft grade aluminum plinth, with terrain finish. Please check out enclosed link showing the actual prototype. I believe only one was ever built and it was basically a patchwork piece assembled with parts from other military aircraft. The “Hot Cycle” technology did not pan out and the aircraft was never put into production. This model purchased from test pilot’s son in Southern California, shows an obviously different design in the rotor and tail structure as well as the placement of the engines. Therefore my one of a kind claim. I will let my pictures do the talking, should you need more………no problem…I will need your email address included with request. The piece will weigh 11 lbs including packaging and will be disassembled for safety in transit. The plinth and arm are the heaviest parts of the unit.
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Note… this is *not* a model of the XV-9. That was a helicopter that actually flew, using the “Hot Cycle” system… turbojet exhaust was ducted through the central into the hollow mast, through the hub, and down ducts through the rotors to nozzles at the tips. This would spin the rotors without the need for a direct mechanical drive, eliminating most of the torque that conventional helicopter drives produce – and thus eliminating the need for a tail rotor. While in development, Hughes engineers had the idea that an advanced application of the Hot Cycle system would be to spin up three-bladed “Y-Wings,” which could, once the vehicle was airborne and moving forward at a good clip, stop their rotation and be fixed in place as wings. This would drastically reduce drag and increase high-speed efficiency. So they drew up a series of “Y-Wing” vehicles… one of which is currently being auctioned on eBay, seen above. Numerous variations on the concept were designed, with varying ratios of “rotor size” to “hub size,” but all were meant to be high-speed aircraft that could take off and land vertically in the manner of a helicopter. Unfortunately, the XV-9 itself, with otherwise normal helicopter rotors, was a fuel hog, as well as loud. The Y-Wing in hover would have burned through fuel like it was throwing it overboard.
