Firestone XR-14 explained

The Firestone XR-14 was a proposed 1940s American lightweight helicopter, designed by the Firestone Aircraft Company to operate in the liaison and observation helicopter for the United States Army Air Forces. Due to changing requirements no examples of the type were built.

Design and development

Three Firestone Model GA-50 helicopters were ordered by the United States Army Air Forces for evaluation in the liaison and observation roles, competing against the Bell XR-15 for a production contract. Derived from the Model GA-45 (XR-9) helicopter, the XR-14 was intended to be a four-seat aircraft, powered by a Continental A100 four-cylinder opposed piston engine; unconventionally, the XR-14 was intended to be equipped with two tail rotors. Prior to any of the aircraft being converted, however, the Army cancelled the contract; while Firestone attempted to market the GA-50 on the civilian market, no interest was forthcoming and the project was abandoned.

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Book: Andrade, John . U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 . 1979 . Midland Counties Publications . Hinckley, Leicastershire, UK . 0-904597-22-9 . 171.
• Book: Merriam, Ray . World War II Journal #15: U. S. Warplanes of World War II, Volume 1 . 2002 . Merriam Press . Bennington, Vermont . 1-57638-167-6 . 64 . 10 November 2011.