Army's XR-9B G and A's Lightweight Joins the Army The first light-weight helicopter to meet AAF military requirements for a fast, maneuverable, easily maintained rotary wing aircraft, is the XR-9B. Having recently been removed from the wartime secrecy list, this trim helicopter has already earned a distinguished reputation for itself as one of the smoothest flying types ever tested at Wright Field's huge experimental center. In cooperation with the AAF's Air Technical Service Command, it was developed and produced by G & A Aircraft, Inc. at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and a successor to the famous Pitcairn Autogiro Organization. The controls and instruments of the G & A helicopter are so simple and responsive to a pilot's touch, that the Chief of Wright Field's Rotary Wing Section, Lt. Col. K. S. Wilson recently stated that he believes anyone can be taught to fly this helicopter in 10 hours, or less. Accordingly, Colonel Wilson is planning to train inexperienced persons in the XR-9B, to see just how rapidly they can solo. He believes anyone can learn to fly it with the same number of instruction hours that beginners require in learning to fly conventional aircraft. Although maximum flight performance characteristics have not yet been revealed, it is known that the newest entry into the helicopter field has flown faster than 100 mph. Weighing less than half as much as a new Ford car, the XR-9B is easy on the controls, free from the jolting vibration that long has plagued other helicopter designs, and it is claimed to be easier and simpler to service and repair than any other helicopter. The new XR-9B has a 28-foot diameter three bladed rotor, is powered by a 135 hp Lycoming four-cylinder air-cooled engine, has dual controls, and a tricycle landing gear. Its dimensions are: 27 ft. 7 in. long, 8 ft. 61/2 in. high, and has a width of 9 ft. at landing wheels. The first model was conceived in 1943, designed and built in 1944, and turned over to the Army in 1945. A later model is now at Wright Field where it is being proof-tested for further military applications. The main rotor is an NACA. airfoil section measuring 15.25 inches chord at the root of the blade and 8.5 inches at the tip of the blade. Rotor blade surface area is 12.5 square (Continued on Page 42) Lt. Col. Wilson hovers in the Army's XR-98 helicopter a few feet off the ground to give groundlings a chance to watch how simple it is to fly this aircraft. Chief of Wright Field's Rotary Wing Aircraft Development section, Lt. Col. K. S. Wilson, climbs into the Army's newest helicopter, the XR-9B. It is the highest and one of the smoothest flying military helicopters ever built, manufactured by G & A Aircraft, lnc., Willow Grove, Pa., a subsidiary of The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.