| XR-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| XR-1 | |
| Role | Experimental helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Platt-LePage Aircraft Company |
| First flight | May 12, 1941 |
| Retired | June 21, 1946 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Forces |
| Number built | 2 |
The Platt-LePage XR-1, also known by the company designation PL-3,[1] was an early American transverse rotors helicopter, built by the Platt-LePage Aircraft Company of Eddystone, Pennsylvania. The winner of a United States Army Air Corps design competition held in early 1940, the XR-1 was the first helicopter tested by the USAAF, flying in 1941. The flight testing of the XR-1 proved troublesome, and although continued testing showed that the design had promise, other, improved helicopters were becoming available before the XR-1 was ready for service. As a result, the development of the aircraft was terminated in 1945.
- ^ Francillon 1990, p.49.