PICTURE: Piasecki flies X-49A SpeedHawk compound helicopter-03/07/2007-Washington DC-Flightglobal.com

FWIW, the counter-torque is done with rudders in the propulsion propeller.

I’m thinking that allowing the main wing to pivot might allow for greater hover capability.

Neat stuff though.

PICTURE: Piasecki flies X-49A SpeedHawk compound helicopter
By Graham Warwick

Piasecki Aircraft has flown the X-49A experimental compound helicopter for the first time. The modified Sikorsky YSH-60F, with wings and tail-mounted variable-thrust ducted propeller (VTDP), made the 15min flight on 30 June at Boeing’s Wilmington, Delaware test centre.

The first flight involved hovering, pedal turns and slow forwards and sideways flight using the Piasecki-designed VTDP for anti-torque, directional and trim control, says vice-president John Piasecki.

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