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The "Mini-Copter" was intended originally for air- dropping to a pilot who had been forced down behind enemy lines or in terrain unsuited to conventional rescue. It is currently being evaluated by the US Army in an Individual Tactical Air Vehicle (ITAV) role in three configurations:
- Configuration 1 is the basic version with no landing gear and the fuel tanks and control/rotor unit strapped to the pilot;
- Configuration 2 consists of a welded steel tube structure carrying the control/ rotor unit and fuel tanks, and providing a seat for the pilot;
- Configuration 3 is generally similar to the latter but has the addition of a 67kW McCulloch flat-four engine. This model takes off as a helicopter using its two 19kg Aerospace General rocket motors (one on the tip of each main rotor blade) but at 48kph forward speed the tip units are turned off and the aircraft flies as an autogyro using the McCulloch engine.
M.Taylor "Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation", 1989
| Dana Hudson Gifford, e-mail, 05.03.2022 | reply |
My dad, RL Hudson, worked for Aerospace General in the 70's and worked on a helicopter. Among my old film I have a video of a test flight. | | Donny Hallmark, e-mail, 19.02.2020 | reply |
Jerry Alexander, my grandpa, was one of the pilots /mechanics that worked on this project. I have a few pictures I could share as well | | Donny Hallmark, e-mail, 19.02.2020 | reply |
Any info on this would be appreciated | | Elfan ap rees, e-mail, 20.05.2017 | reply |
Very interested in Minicopter Memorabilia,tech drawings etc for our exhibit at The Helicopter Museum in UK | | Gary, e-mail, 05.05.2017 | reply |
I have some of the original tech drawings and stockholders annual report 1976
had them since early 80's no good to me so wondered if they have any value to someone |
| Don Boyle, e-mail, 26.04.2017 | reply |
This looks like a re-pop of Rotor-Craft RH-1 "Pinwheel" from the '50s? | | COPTER, e-mail, 14.10.2016 | reply |
wouhouuuuuuuuuu les minicopter | | Albert Klettke, e-mail, 17.11.2010 | reply |
I was involved with mini-copters inc. in Saginaw Tx., where they also had this little ship. Glbert was stil alive in the beginning but died while working there. Jerry Alexander was the pilot there as well as in Louisiana and before in Odessa TX. Both Gilbert and Jerry died while working there. The original helicopter was damaged when a blade separated. There was a Swiss fellow involved in the beginning but left the company along the way. Maybe he has taken up the project.
I had the Hiller Xroe-1 there at the time. |
| Sedrick DeCoud, e-mail, 22.11.2010 | reply |
I have always wanted one of those one man mini copters. Please send any updated material you may have regarding your products. Thank you! | |
| | steve wallace, e-mail, 25.07.2012 | reply |
My father, Colonel Bruce E. Wallace was a friend of Mr. McGill and was an intermediary with a fellow from Switzerland. I believe his name was Louie Keller. Mr. Keller left my father a stock certificate. After my father passed, my mother threw it away. I don't know if Mr. Keller is still alive, but I would like to get in touch with him or someone who knows about his businesses. If you can help me with a contact, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Steve Wallace | | hou, e-mail, 08.06.2010 | reply |
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My Grandpa was involved with this project. I would like any pictures or information that anyone has on it. Mr. Stacks I will buy a video from you if you will email me at donnyhallmark@yahoo.com. | | Bob Parrish, e-mail, 28.02.2010 | reply |
I was Gil McGill's CPA and the Aerospace General for many years while he was in Odessa, Texas. It was a 'fun' project. It would be fun to find some of the promotional literature, brochures, etc. If anyone has access to them please email me. I have now contacted the pilot participating in this blog. COOL! | | Erik Bengtsson, e-mail, 16.11.2009 | reply |
The Intora Firebird helicopter is flying again - in Switzerland!
They have re-named it Dragonfly.
See www.peroxidepropulsion.com /news / | | Ronald R. Stacks, e-mail, 26.05.2009 | reply |
I have a military video of this unit flying at Fort Brag, North Carolina and some video from the television station in Odessa, Texas that i will sell for $10.00 per DVD if interested. The Bragg video is professionally done and the local TV video is un-edited.
Ron Stacks | | Ron Stacks, e-mail, 22.05.2009 | reply |
Having been the last one to fly Mr. McGill's copter, the last I have been able to track the machine I had experience with was in Dallas, Texas. If anyone has a contact for the current owner, I would be interested in purchasing it for a flight museum in Dallas.
Last condition was wrecked. (I was driving) at the Baton Rouge airport in Louisiana.
Ron Stacks |
| Dennis, e-mail, 04.05.2009 | reply |
Are plans available for the MC-8? I am very interested in building one. Also do you have any idea how much one would cost to build?
Thank you
Dennis | | Dave, e-mail, 21.08.2008 | reply |
I've been searching for any current information on the Firebird, but have had no luck. I'm interested in building a personal helicopter of this design. Could you please send me information about the mini-copter and the different configures. Additionally, if you could send plans for the configuration 3 model, I would be very appreciative. Thanks. Dave | | RON, e-mail, 02.06.2008 | reply |
This project has meandered on since it's original birth and eventually found the project taken over by Intora Firebird at Southend airport in England. However, the hangar is now empty and the machine has appeared on the Swisscopter web site, though Intora Firebird still shows as a UK company with a private home address quoted on Google UK search.
I am currently compiling an article on the history of the Firebird from it's Pinwheel origins up to the present date for the US experimental helo magazine. | | tootertz, e-mail, 16.04.2008 | reply |
how fast can this damn thing go? and how long can it fly? |
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Do you have any comments ?
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Virtual Aircraft Museum
All the World's Rotorcraft
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Albert Klettke
Hello Gary,
I have a Mosquito Helicopter in Orlando, FL
The fellow that makes the engine for my helicopter asked my help in tracking down any information about the Hiller Rotocycle. He is very interested in reproducing it.
Can you help ?
Robert Rayner
11322 Scenic View Lane
Orlando FL 32821
407 435 1812
reply