Gdawg - a quick response, as i'm still looking for that quiet evening to catch up on heli stuff!
The main problem with your concept is that the puffer jets would ideally need to be controlled by (laser) gyros. This is because Harrier is pitch/roll acceleration control, but a helicopter is pitch/roll velocity rate control, although low hinge offset means there is a brief period of weak accel control until rotor gets mast to follow. Harrier accel control is apparently intuitive to control at wings level with a good horizon, but requires pilot concentration. For more general flying rate control is preferred.
Have a look at how the Apollo/Grumman Lunar Module linked gyros into the flight control systems for the small attitude rockets to give you some ideas. I'll do some digging if i get time, and there is sufficient interest...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Module