As far as I can tell, most tilt-rotors and other VTOLs with non-hover ability seem to convert fully to forward flight with little to no hover thrust. Which of course means all the caprices of transition.
It occurred to me that one might instead make a tilt-rotor or other VTOL aircraft that would not be able to fly forward naturally at any point, but which would reduce the hover thrust requirement at high forward speeds. It also occurred to me that this might integrate well with a quad or tricopter that was able to tilt its rotors, perhaps even better than a traditional tilt-rotor.
It also occured to me that this might work well with a lifting-body airframe.
Is this already a thing?
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Some application of this idea has been in place a while but maybe not at the level you suggest.
Take a look at the work on http://shrediquette.blogspot.com/. He changed the frame/body angle/shape of the vehicle in relation to the rotor plane and achieved considerably more forward speed.
But what I think you are suggesting is an active mechanical mechanism.
-=Doug