Flettner Gigant

Gigant
Role Helicopter
National origin Germany
Designer Anton Flettner
First flight 1932 (tethered)
Number built 1

The Flettner Gigant was an experimental helicopter built in Germany during the early 1930s.[1]

Design and development

Anton Flettner was an early rotary-wing pioneer in Germany, he developed a torqueless rotor by powering it with small engines fixed directly to the blades driving propellers. this arrangement drove the rotor without transmitting torque (other than bearing friction) to the fuselage.[1]

A successful tethered flight was carried out in 1932, but the aircraft was destroyed soon afterwards when it overturned in a gale.[1]

Specifications (variant specified)

Data from Green[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Powerplant: 2 × Anzani 3-cyl. Y (Radial) 30hp air-cooled radial piston engine, 22 kW (30 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 30 m (98 ft 5 in)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed tractor fixed pitch propellers

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Green, William (2010). Aircraft of the Third Reich. Vol.1 (1st ed.). London. p. 328. ISBN 978 1 900732 06 2.
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