• What looks like a seat with a small rudder and with two giant blades suspended above it.
    Download Image

    The B-8M, designed by Igor Bensen, became one of the most popular homebuilt aircraft of the twentieth century. This powered Gyrocopter variant of the B-8 Gyroglider first flew in 1957. Airflow created by the forward motion of the Gyrocopter causes the unpowered blades to autorotate and generate lift. Unlike a helicopter, the Gyrocopter cannot hover or take off vertically, but it can make nearly vertical descents. Construction costs typically ran between $1,000 and $3,000.

    The "Spirit of Kittyhawk" was the prototype for the B-8M and earned its name by matching the speed, duration and distance of the Wright Brothers' first powered flights for a 60th anniversary celebration at Kittyhawk, North Carolina. In 1967 and 1968, Bensen set 12 gyroplane records for speed, distance, and altitude in the "Spirit of Kittyhawk." Bensen's airshow performances in this aircraft played an important role in establishing gyroplanes as a new category of sport aircraft.

  • What looks like a seat with a small rudder and with two giant blades suspended above it.

ID#:

A19690355000

Source:

Courtesy of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Copyright/Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Contact Smithsonian Institution

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.