I would certainly say I also “am not an expert. I can not walk on water.” but if I had to venture a pretty good guess I would say they can hinge both ways to save the head from crash damage, even at the expense of the boom. I try some crazy stuff from time to time with my LMH and have had plenty of run ins with the ground where the blades released down, often while inverted or sideways or at some incredible angle of attack or flying between tree branches, or some combination there of. I have gone through 2 tail booms since I got the cursed time drain machine back in 1996, but zero head parts if that is worth anything.

In any event I am eager to find out how your anti boom strike idea works out. Keep us posted.