Hi,
The 1957 AE-130 project, a large tiltrotor with a total weight of 17,000 kg, was revolutionary.
powered by two 4,000 hp Napier Eland L-4 turboprops. thrust, with four-blade metal traction propellers,
hanging under the wing. The machine had the two engines in gondolas hanging from normal wings while
a large two-blade rotor with a diameter of 20 m. and a rope of 92 cm., retractable in the back of the fuselage,
ensured the vertical maneuvers. The maximum cruising speed (with the rotor retracted) was expected to
be 640/670 km / h. The fuselage was almost 24 m long. while the short medium-high wing had an opening
of 14.2 m. Tail double-track with horizontal arrow plane. The wheels of the main landing gear were two in
tandem, while the front wheel was double side by side. The payload of 4,000 kg. ensured the transport of
26/30 passengers. The take-off took place by means of the large two-blade rotor, driven by the same
turboprops; after the transition from vertical to horizontal flight and the large blades of the Napier Eland
turbines came into operation, the rotor disappeared in a special housing on the back of the fuselage and
no longer had an aerodynamic effect on the flight.