Colour capture of the unsuccessful G & A, later Firestone, helicopter. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

G&A Aircraft, formerly Pitcairn, became a subsidiary of Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1943. Their Model GA-45 first flew as the single-seat XR-9 in Mar-1946, but was converted within a month to the tandem two-seater XR-9B. G & A was renamed to Firestone Aircraft Company in mid 1946, but all development ceased in 1947. Two airframes were built, the second one being the civil Model GA-45D prototype, NX58457, having side-by-side seats. That helicopter is preserved at Fort Rucker, painted as the tandem-seat military prototype. Photo from: Wright State University