Tiltrotors
A tiltrotor aircraft combines the vertical lift capability of a helicopter
with the speed and range of a turboprop airplane. Their two engines,
which tilt on the wings, move the "proprotors"
in a counterotating way to counteract the torque of the body.
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1950s - 1960s
Many convertiplanes were built, including the
Hiller X-18 (1959),
LTV XC-142 (1964),
Curtiss-Wright X-19 (1963),
and the Canadiar CL-84 Dynavert (1965, picture).
They use a whole tilt wing instead of a
tilting engine design
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August 23, 1955
Bell 200 [XH-33] XV-3
Starting built in 1953, this experimental aircraft featuring
tilting wingtip rotor assemblies flew until 1966. The airframe
returns to Texas in 2004
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1969
Bell 300
Development Mock-up
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May 3, 1977
Started in 1972 under funding from NASA and the US Army.
After three decades is continuing to be used as experimental testbeds.
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March 19, 1989
First tiltrotor to enter in production
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March 6, 1998
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
for military use
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March 6, 2003
Bell/Agusta BA609
Civilian six to nine passenger
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