McCulloch Super J-2 Gyrocopter

Autogyros were first developed in the 1930s and are a predecessor to the helicopter. They use a conventional aircraft engine and propeller and an unpowered rotor to give lift. Gyrocopters fly like a conventional aircraft, but have the ability to take off and land in very short distances. The J-2 was designed to be easy to fly and capable of operating from areas little larger than a normal driveway. Unfortunately, it never quite lived up to this standard and safe operation required a conventional runway and while they are relatively easy to fly they are not the "everyman's airplane" they were touted to be. Just over 100 of the J-2s were built between 1971 and 1973. The Super J-2 is identical to the standard aircraft with the exception of a metal three-blade propeller replacing the original two-blade wooden prop.