The Model QH-50A 

Powered by a single 72 HP Porsche engine, the QH-50A was the droned version of Gyrodyne's optimized XRON-1 Rotorcycle which had a 20' rotor diameter.

    Based on the satisfactory results obtained with the modified automotive Porsche engine, the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAir) authorized Gyrodyne to enter into negotiations with the Porsche Company of Germany to develop a more suitable engine for the Rotorcycle application. Accordingly, two models were developed, the first one rated at 55 horsepower and the second rated at 72 horsepower.

    The Porsche engine model rated at 55 horsepower was installed on a rotorcycle with a 17-ft. rotor and was demonstrated at NATC, Patuxent River, Maryland within applicable specifications. 

    The 72-horsepowered model of the Porsche engine was installed on a Rotorcycle incorporating a 20-ft diameter rotor and transmission for the higher horsepower (as seen right). Its first flight was in 1959. This aircraft was also demonstrated at NATC in 1959 and formed the basic airframe for Gyrodyne's entry for the developing unmanned remote-controlled helicopter requirement the Navy was seeking to fulfill. This helicopter also won the Grand Prize for the most maneuverable helicopter in the 1961 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France.

    Despite Gyrodyne's success in the development of its one-manned, compact helicopter for the Marine Corps, the Navy believed that the stability and reduction of size afforded by the coaxial rotor system made the helicopter's design best utilized as a drone.

    In June of 1958, the Chief of Naval operations determined that operational drone helicopters would be required in the fleet beginning in fiscal year 1962. To meet this requirement, it was planned that the DASH program should proceed on a three-phase basis. The first phase would be to buy an initial quantity of nine DSN-1 (later QH-50A designation) (as seen left) and three DSN-2 (later QH-50B designation) helicopters for research and development purposes.

    The second phase would be to buy a larger limited number of twin engine DSN-2 (later QH-50B designation) helicopters. It was planned that these drones would be used in the fleet beginning in July 1961 until the more advanced drone, the DSN-3 (later QH-50C designation) could be delivered to the fleet. The third phase of the program would be a design competition which would lead to the production of operational quantities of the QH-50C drone. Under this plan, fleet deliveries of the QH-50C were to begin after July 1963.

    Accordingly, in keeping with it's plan, the Navy issued its authorization to proceed with the droning of the XRON-1 helicopter as the model QH-50A drone (seen right) on December 31, 1958, under Contract NOas 59-0219-c in order to initiate the DASH program. The award was a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract which covered the initial purchase of the nine DSN-1 and three DSN-2 aircraft. Under this contract deliveries to the Navy occurred from June 1960 through December 1961.

The QH-50A goes into Production

The QH-50A was to be the evaluation prototype for the airborne portion of the system and be capable of carrying one Mark 43 homing torpedo. 
    The first flight under remote control was accomplished on August 12, 1960 (seen left). This marked the first successful free flight of a drone helicopter in the world. 
    The QH-50A was successfully demonstrated at NATC, Patuxent River, MD, for ground and ship's operation and at NAS Key West, Florida, for simulated tactical operations.

    During the development of the remotely controlled helicopter, Gyrodyne had used the assistance of a safety pilot in order to abbreviate the development time of the autopilot and remote control equipment and also provide for safety of flight during the developmental stages. As seen at right, a QH-50A makes its approach to the destroyer, USS Hazelwood (DD-531) off the coast of Key West, Florida on September 12, 1960.

The QH-50B goes into Production but gets Cancelled.

    In the summer of 1959, the Navy's Ships Characteristics Board decided that aviation gasoline, a fire hazard aboard destroyers, should be removed from destroyers that were able to carry DASH drones. Since the DSN-2 drones (seen left with safety pilot) used gasoline powered Porsche engines, the Chief of Naval Operations directed that the planned DSN-2 (later QH-50B designation) production procurement for fiscal year 1960 not be made and that the QH-50C turbine-powered drone, using the less dangerous jet fuel, be placed into development. Subsequently, only the original three DSN-2 aircraft were ever produced and remain at Gyrodyne to this date, as non flyable airframes.

    After all DASH work was shifted from the gasoline burning QH-50A/B models and to the jet fuel burning QH-50C, the A models were eventually used as targets at Point Magu, California in 1965 for missile testing. Only 2 survive to this date and they are in private collectors hands.

    As the QH-50A remains today and did in 1960 as a valid and viable choice as an entry level coaxial platform, we supply the following data for those interested in the light-weight and compact A model. 

For the Purpose of Prosperity, we herein also state the Characteristics of the three QH-50B aircraft that were produced for the DASH weapon system and served as developmental models.

Helicopter Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 3838, Reno, Nevada USA 89505

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