List of rotorcraft used in World War II

Autogyros and helicopters were extensively tested and infrequently used during World War II. List includes prototypes.

Germany

Some types in use of Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine

  • Focke-Wulf Fw 61 - World's first practical helicopter, first flown in 1936.[1]
  • Focke-Wulf Fw C.30A - licence-built Cierva C.30A (general purpose autogyro)
  • Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 "Drache" - military transport helicopter, saw limited use for rescue
  • Focke-Achgelis Fa 225 - single-seat rotary wing glider, one built
  • Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 "Bachstelze" (Autogyro-glider/observation vehicle)
  • Flettner Fl 265 (twin rotor liaison-observation helicopter, pioneer of synchropter configuration)
  • Flettner Fl 282A/B "Kolibri" (reconnaissance synchropter)
  • Flettner Fl 339 (reconnaissance helicopter / artillery spotter)
  • Nagler-Rolz NR 54 (one-man portable helicopter)
  • Nagler-Rolz Nr 55 (one-man portable helicopter)
  • Baumgartl Heliofly I (backpack Autogyro-glider)
  • Baumgartl Heliofly III-57 (two contra-rotating helicopter)
  • Baumgartl Heliofly III-59 (little and light disarmable helicopter)
  • Doblhoff WNF 342 (Tip-jet helicopter)
  • AEG helicopter (unmanned vehicle for raising radio antenna or manned aerial observation platform)

United States

In use by USAAF, US Navy and USCG

  • Kellet KD-1A (La Cierva C.30A) (general use Autogyro)
  • Sikorsky VS-300 (experimental helicopter)
  • Sikorsky R-4B "Hoverfly" (general helicopter)
  • Sikorsky YR-4B "Hoverfly" (ambulance/sea patrol helicopter)
  • Sikorsky R-6 (rescue/reconnaissance helicopter)
  • Sikorsky R-5A (rescue/reconnaissance helicopter)
  • Platt-LePage XR-1 (experimental helicopter)

Great Britain

In use by RAF and FAA

  • Avro 671 "Rota" Mk.1 (licence-built Cierva C.30A) (general purpose autogyro - used for radar station testing)
  • Cierva W.5 - 2-seater twin outrigger rotor helicopter, first flight 1938.
  • Cierva W.6 - twin rotor helicopter, flown in 1939
  • Cierva W.9 - jet efflux torque compensation design. Built in 1944 and flown in 1945.
  • Bristol "Heliogyro" RI/II (experimental helicopter)
  • Sikorsky "Hoverfly" I - service name for Sikorsky R-4 used at RAF Helicopter Training School from 1945
  • Hafner Rotabuggy (also known as "Malcolm Rotaplane" and "M.L. 10/42 Flying Jeep") - rotary wing glider attachment for landing jeeps. Tested in 1944 but introduction of vehicle-carrying gliders led to cancellation of project.
  • Hafner Rotachute - one-man rotor-kite for landing assault troops. Not adopted but used instead for testing in support of Rotabuggy project

Canada

In use for RCAF

  • Avro 671 "Rota" Mk.1 (La Cierva C.30A) (general purpose Autogyro)
  • Sikorsky R-4B "Hoverfly" (general purpose helicopter)

Soviet Union

In use for Red Army and V-VS

  • TsAGI (Kamov) A-7/7bis (Liaison and Observation Autogyro)

Japan

In use by Japanese Army/Navy Air Service

France

In use for French Army

  • Breguet-Dorand Gyroplane Laboratoire
  • Dorand G.20

References

  1. Goebel, Greg. "European Helicopter Pioneers." vectorsite.net. Retrieved: 10 October 2015.
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