Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor.

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

XR-8 Hovering flight at Philadelphia Airport in 1945. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor.

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Interior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Exterior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Interior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Exterior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Exterior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Interior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Interior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Restoration of the Kellett XR-8 Helicopter began in the Summer of 2023 . Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Restoration of the Kellett XR-8 Helicopter began in the Summer of 2023 . Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Exterior view of the Kellett XR-8 during restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Restoration of the Kellett XR-8 Helicopter began in the Summer of 2023 . Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Dale Burnside works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteers Dale Burnside and Elwood Dornbusch work together on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Cueto)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Elwood Dornbusch works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Cueto)

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Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Jim Lindgren works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Jim Lindgren works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Jim Lindgren works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Dale Burnside works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

DAYTON, Ohio - Volunteer Dale Burnside works on the Kellett XR-8 as part of the extensive restoration process at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Kellett XR-8 Helicopter

Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. The XR-8 first flew on August 7, 1944. Though the XR-8 was a revolutionary design, the Kellett Aircraft Corporation encountered significant problems with stability control and timing the rotors. The company modified the vertical stabilizers in an attempt to resolve some of these issues. Because of these and other complications, Kellett only produced two XR-8s before cancelling the program. This artifact is the only surviving version of the XR-8.

Restoration Update Video Jan 2024

Technical Notes Engine: Horizontally opposed Franklin six-cylinder engine of 245 hp
Maximum Speed: Approximately 100 mph
Ceiling: Approximately 10,000 ft

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