I was wondering why the Bell 429 tail rotor is the way it is. I understand the x-shape is to reduce the noise signature, however...
It is a departure from the typical bell 2-blade tail rotor, so I assume that the 4-blade configuration permits a smaller diameter than an equivalent 2-bladed design.
My main curiosity is why they chose to go with two 2-bladed teetering tail rotors vs one articulated 4 bladed tail rotor. Is it because of the simplicity of a 2-bladed delta hinge tail rotor design, that two of them is an easier manufacturing/operating deal than one 4-bladed articulated tail