The only attempt at rotary wing construction in Australia has been made by G.C.Molyneux, a consulting engineer of Melbourne in the State of Victoria.

This rotorcraft, developed from a small-scale experimental model, will be the first Australian-built helicopter. It will have two rotors set in tandem, each rotor having three blades.

P.Lambermont "Helicopters and Autogyros of the World", 1958

 

Seen in this drawing to be of advanced design, the Molyneux XM-1000 will be Australia's first helicopter (apart from a single-seat prototype model due to fly shortly). A five-seater, it will have a Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine, will weigh 1800kg all-up, and have a range of 560km.

"Flight", 17 February 1956

 

Yet another interesting private venture on the Australian scene is the Molyneux two-seater helicopter, predecessor of the Molyneux XM-1000 five-seat, tandem rotor helicopter powered by a 550hp Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine.

"Flight", 23 August 1957

Technical data for XM-1000

Number of seats: 5, engine: 1 x 500hp, rotor diameter: 9.14m, gross weight: 1814kg, cruising speed: 145km/h, inclining climb: 296m/min, range: 560km