The AH-56A Cheyenne represented the sunset of Lockheed's brief rotorcraft era.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

This is the fifth of ten pre-production test prototypes (66-88301) in flight. It is now at the Fort Rucker, Alabama Army Aviation Museum.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Cheyenne was too complex and too time-tolerant. The AH-1 Cobra offered a practical silution to the US Army's needs.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Detail view of the Cheyenne's four-bladed pusher propeller. The large ventral fin aided stability and also acted as a skid, with a non-retractable castoring tail wheel at its bottom.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Good view of the Cheyenne's four-bladed pusher propeller. The large ventral fin aided stability and also acted as a skid, with a non-retractable castoring tail wheel at its bottom.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Inside the Cheyenne gunner's position, showing weapons management panel. A secondary set of instruments to fly the aircraft were also included, along with the flight controls, which are shown at the right in the stowed position.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Diagram of the gunner's position.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne - СШАUSA - 1967

Success of the CL-475 increased Army/Navy interest and support for a twin turbine-powered helicopter designated XH-51A. Built under a joint service contract, XH-51A incorporated the rigid rotor non-articulating blades, to simplify control.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed XH-51 - СШАUSA - 1962

The XH-51A demonstrated its ability to self-trim with a large centre of gravity offset in a dramatic manner with a flight test engineer perched at the end of a 15ft side-mounted boom.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed XH-51 - СШАUSA - 1962

Final step before setting on the AH-56A's configuration was provided by the advanced XH-51A Compound helicopter, with a Pratt & Whitney single-shaft military turbojet. This was a test success, with only one major drawback: at full thrust, the J-60 emtied its fuel tank in only six minutes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed XH-51 - СШАUSA - 1962