Focke-Wulf Fw 61
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| Fw 61 | |
|---|---|
 First prototype Fw 61 |
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| Type | Helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Achgelis |
| Maiden flight | 26 June 1936 |
| Introduced | 1936 |
| Primary user | Nazi Germany |
| Number built | 2 [1] |
The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was the first fully controllable helicopter. It first flew in 1936. It is more properly known as the Fa 61 as it was a research aircraft of the Focke Achgelis company.
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[edit] Development
Through his work on the C.19 and C.30 autogyros built by Focke-Wulf under license from Cierva Autogiro, as well as the experience gained through development of the Fw 186, Prof. Heinrich Focke had come to the conclusion that the inadequacies and limited serviceability of autogyros could only be eliminated by a real helicopter. He and engineer Gerd Achgelis started the design for this helicopter in 1932. A free-flying model, built in 1934, propelled by a small two-stroke engine brought the promise of success. Today, the model can be seen in the German museum in Munich.
On 9 February 1935, Focke received an order for the building of a prototype, which was designated the FW 61, however Focke referred to it as the F 61. Roluf Lucht of the technical office of the RLM extended the order for a second aircraft on 19 December 1935. The airframe was based on that of a well-tried training aircraft, the Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz. A single, radial engine drove twin rotors, set on outriggers to the left and right of the fuselage - the counter-rotation of the two rotors solved the problem of torque-reaction as also shown by Louis Bréguet.
Only two aircraft were produced.[1] The first prototype, the V 1 D-EBVU, had its first free flight on 26 June 1936 with Ewald Rohlfs at the controls. By spring 1937, the second prototype, V 2 D-EKRA, was completed and flown for its first flight. 10 May 1937 it accomplished its first autorotation landing with the engine turned off.
[edit] Operational history
In February 1938 it was demonstrated by Hanna Reitsch indoors at the Deutschlandhalle sports stadium in Berlin, Germany. It subsequently set several records for altitude, speed and flight duration culminating, in June 1938, with an altitude record of 3,427 m and a straight line flight record of 230 km.
[edit] Specifications (Fw 61)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7.290 m (23.92 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 7.01 m (2x 23 ft)
- Height: 2.64 m ()
- Empty weight: 818.0 kg (1,803.7 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 950 kg (2,095 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× BMW Bramo 314 E 7-cylinder radial, 160 hp (120 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 122 km/h (66 kn)
- Cruise speed: 90 km/h (49 kn)
- Range: 230 km (124 NM)
- Service ceiling 3,427 m (11,243 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.50 m/s (689 ft/min)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Goebel, Greg. European Helicopter Pioneers.
[edit] Bibliography
- Coates, Steve and Carbonel, Jean-Christophe. Helicopters of the Third Reich. Crowborough, UK: Classic Publications Ltd., 2002. ISBN 1-903223-24-5.
- Nowarra, Heinz J. German Helicopters, 1928-1945. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1990. ISBN 0-88740-289-5.
- Smith, J. Richard. Focke-Wulf, an Aircraft Album. London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1973. ISBN 0-7110-0425-0.
- Smith, J. Richard and Kay, Anthony. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1972 (3rd edition 1978). ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
- Witkowski, Ryszard. Rotorcraft of the Third Reich. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2007. ISBN 83-89450-43-2.
[edit] External links
- French & German Helicopter Pioneers (Fa 61)
- Focke Wulf Fw61
- Heinrich Focke—Fa 61
- Virtual Aviation Museum Focke Wulf FW 61
- Warbirds Resource Group
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