In 1944, U.S. Navy launched a competition that called for a large rescue helicopter which could carry up to 10 occupants. McDonnell was determined to win a new Navy contract as the company only had sub-contract jobs at the war time. With investment in Platt LePage Aircraft Co., McDonnell was allowed to learn helicopter techniques and developed its own design, Model 65. Considering a most suitable configuration for a large helicopter, it was fitted with twin side-by-side rotors mounted at the end of main wings. In 1945, McDonnell proposed the project to Navy and was rewarded contract for construction of one test bed, designated XHJD-1. First flight was made on April 1946. It became the world's first successful twin-engines, twin rotors helicopter. From 1946 to 1951, XHJD-1 was tested for numerous flying researches peculiar to its twin-rotor configuration. Upon completion of its trails program, the XHJD-1 was then retired and was donated to the National Air and Space Museum.

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Experimental transport helicopter

To research tandem rotors configuration

50ft.

32ft.2in.

13ft.6in.

2x Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B radial

120 mph

2

None

The McDonnell XHJD-1 is suitable to group with the following collection series.

Post war U.S. Navy helicopter 1946 ~ 1962

McDonnell XHJD-1 (HJH-1) Whirlway

Piasecki HJP-1 (HUP-1/H-25) Retriever

Sikorsky HJS-1

Gyrodyne YHOG-1 (YRON-1)

Hiller YHOE-1 (YH-32) Hornet

Kaman HOK-1 (HH-25)

Sikorsky HO2S-1 (H-5) Hoverfly

Sikorsky HO4S-1 (H-19A) Chickasaw

Sikorsky HO5S-1 (H-18)

Boeing HRB-1 (H-46) Sea Knight

McDonnell XHRH-1

Piasecki HRP-1 (H-21) Flying banana

Sikorsky HRS-1 (H-19A) Chickasaw

Sikorsky HR2S-1 (YH-37) Mojave

Sikorsky XHR3S-1

Bell XHSL-1

Sikorsky HSS-1 (H-34) Sea Bat

Sikorsky HSS-2 (SH-3) Hiss

Bell HTL-1 (TH-13) Sioux

Hiller HTE-1 (H-23) Raven

Kaman HTK-1

Bell HUL-1 (UH-13) Sioux

McCulloch YHUM-1 (YH-30)

Piasecki HUP-1 (H-25) Retriever

Sikorsky HUS-1 (H-34) Sea House

Sikorsky HU2S-1 (H-52) Sea Guard

U.S. Tandem rotors helicopter

Platt LePage XR-1

McDonnell XHJD-1 (HJH-1) Whirlway

Bell XH-33 (XV-3)

Post war U.S. experimental aircraft