Hiller X-18
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| X-18 | |
|---|---|
 Ground testing the X-18 tiltwing |
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| Type | Experimental prototype |
| Manufacturer | Hiller Aircraft Corporation |
| Designed by | Stanley Hiller Jr |
| Maiden flight | 24 November 1959 |
| Status | Aircraft scrapped 1964 |
| Number built | One |
The X-18 was an experimental cargo transport aircraft designed to be the first testbed for tiltwing and STOVL (short take off and vertical landing) technology.
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[edit] Development
Design work started in 1955 by Stanley Hiller Jr and Hiller Aircraft Corporation received a manufacturing contract and funding from the U.S. Air Force to build the only X-18 ever produced.
To speed up construction and conserve money the plane was constructed from scavenged parts including a Chase C-122 Avitruc fuselage and the turboprops came from the Lockheed XFV-1 and Convair XFY-1 Pogo experimental airplanes program. The tri-bladed contra-rotating propellers were a giant 16 ft (4.8 m) across. The Westinghouse turbojet engine had its exhaust diverted upwards and downwards at the tail to give the plane pitch control at low speeds.
[edit] Service history
The first test flight was on November 24, 1959, ultimately recording 20 flights out of Edwards AFB. A number of problems plagued the X-18 including being susceptible to wind gusts when the wing rotated, acting like a sail. In addition the turboprop engines were not cross-linked, so the failure of one engine meant the airplane would crash.
On the 20th and final flight in July 1961, the X-18 had a propeller pitch control problem when attempting to hover at 10,000 ft and went into a spin. The crew regained control and landed, but the X-18 never flew again. However ground testing of the tiltwing concepts continued. Eventually a test stand that the plane was mounted on failed and the plane was severely damaged in the fall. The program was finally cancelled on January 18, 1964 and the X-18 was cut up for scrap.
[edit] Specifications (X-18)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: 2-3
- Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)
- Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.6 m)
- Height: 24 ft 7 in (7.5 m)
- Empty weight: 26,786 lb (12,150 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 33,000 lb (14,850 kg)
- Powerplant:
- 1× Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine for pitch control, 3,400 lbf (15.2 kN)
- 2× Allison T40-A-14 turboprop engines, 5,500 hp (4,100 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 253 mph (407 km/h)
- Service ceiling 35,300 ft (10,800 m)
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] External links
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