Helicopters of the Third Reich

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{detailed description}As early as the 1930s, during the embryonic years of the Third Reich, a small, dedicated group of German aeronautical designers and technicians recognised the potential in a radical new concept of flight - the rotating-wing aircraft -which had been developed by the young Spaniard, Juan de la Cierva, who saw in such a principle a method of overcoming the tendency of fixed-wing aircraft to stall and spin. Despite initial scepticism from the Reich Air Ministry, German designers such as Professor Henrich Focke and Anton Flettner, persevered with their belief in the potential of the autogyro and the helicopter.
This book represents the first comprehensive attempt to relate the development of autogyros and helicopters in Germany during the period 1930-1945 and seeks to shed light on a long and unjustly neglected area of considerable aeronautical achievement. All too often German progress in this field has been overshadowed by the achievements made in the development of the so-called 'Wunderwaffen' of the Nazi period. Yet by the end of the Second World War, despite minimal funding, lukewarm official support and bitter inter-service rivalries, the Germans were, undoubtedly, technologically ahead of their American counterparts in the development of rotating-wing aircraft.
Following years of research, Steve Coates has uncovered the story of the development and usage of German helicopters from the pre-war years to their subsequent deployment in the Luftwaffe as mountain warfare support machines and as an aid to the U-boats.
With the aid of more than 350 fascinating photographs - most of which have never been previously published - the author provides a detailed analysis of the remarkable Fw 61, Fa 223 and Fl 282 helicopters as well as some of the more 'exotic' projects and variants which were planned.
Helicopters of the Third Reich may be regarded as the most detailed study published on the subject.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Steve Coates
published by Classic Publications 2002 1st edn. 224pp profusely illustrated, appendices 24x31
{condition}fine, d/j slightly rubbed at top edge
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