Piasecki Helistat

[ian_c_uk]

The YT algorithm suggested this the other day. It was something I had never heard about despite happening in my lifetime.

For those interested in the more "experimental" forms of aircraft, it's worth a watch, although sadly there was loss of life in testing.

[hidetheelephants]

A terrible idea executed very badly by people who didn't know what they were doing, not unheard-of in military equipment development but perhaps a first for the Forest Service?

[Eric Mc]

Yes - another aviation monstrosity that seemed to slip by at the time. I discovered it about 20 years ago in my early dabbling on the Internet. A total mess - and that is exactly what it flew like too.

[Simpo Two]

Piasecki was bought out of his first company, possibly because he was already showing signs of bonkerdom...!

Might have been better with one pilot in the airship and four unmanned rotors/engines, but even then there's an awful lot to go wrong. And that's before it gets hit by a strong wind.

[hidetheelephants]

IIRC the Rolls Royce Flying Bedstead had similarly heath robinson castoring wheels, but they tethered it to the ground until the madman flying it got some experience controlling the thing.

[MarkwG]

To be fair, the Flying Bedstead was a test rig, not expected to ever become a useful operation vehicle...whereas the Helistat was actually supposed to answer an operational requirement...