"These were the helicopters of World War II" Topic

"Think of a military helicopter. Think of it in combat. Is it a Black Hawk dropping off operators in urban combat? A Chinook picking troops up from a remote ridge or rooftop? Maybe you're old school and you see a Piasecki H-25 or H-19 Chickasaw from the Korean War. But few people will think all the way back to World War II when German and American helicopters all served on the front lines.

The Sikorsky R-4 helicopter was one of America's only helicopters to see active service in World War II, acting predominantly as a rescue and transportation asset in the China-Burma-India Theater…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Does anyone make any of these for gaming? 28, 15, or 10mm ? Would be interesting for "what-if" and weird war scenarios.

Thanks for posting. Sikorsky was a pioneer of Helos.

@black8cat

I found a paper kit on fiddlers green link

Looks like it's also available in plastic 1/72 and 1/48 scales
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A votre service mon ami! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Some were towed behind U-Boats to give a longer-distance search view.

Not really helos, I suppose, in the true definition of the modern term today, but very, very similar in operation and use for scouting.

AND, of course, there was that one in the castle, in the movie, Where Eagles Dare, which is NOT to be missed.

Yes the R-4 was the first really deployable rotary wing aircraft. The Nazi played with the concept had a small number along with prototypes … But AFAIK they don't look like R-4.

The luftwaffe had these:

Flettner Fl 184 prototype reconnaissance helicopter
Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri (Hummingbird), reconnaissance helicopter
Focke Achgelis Fa 223 Drache (Kite), transport helicopter (prototype
Focke Achgelis Fa 266 Hornisse (Hornet), helicopter (prototype)
Focke Achgelis Fa 330, helicopter (prototype)
Focke Achgelis Fa 336 scout helicopter (prototype), 1944
Focke-Wulf Fw 61, helicopter (prototype)
Focke-Wulf Fw 186, autogiro reconnaissance aircraft (prototype)

And yes, Where Eagles Dare, that "helicopter" with the window panes painted on the clear bubble was real. A Bell 47G, was built after WWII. But nothing like that was flown by anyone in WWII AFAIK. Like much of the movie is mil-fantasy but none the less very entertaining … From the net –

The helicopter seen landing in the castle courtyard is a Bell model 47G, not built until well after the war. While the Germans had a small number of working helicopters during the war (none of which would have been readily available to the filmmakers), the Bell does not make a convincing stand-in for any of them.

Thresher01 you are thinking of the Autogyro Fa 330. Rather distant cousin of the helicopter, really a class of their own.

Brilliant concept though, the autogiro. Does not even need an engine, if it can get a tow, such as a submarine underway. Needs a brave pilot though, recalling his chances of survival, if an Enemy patrolling ASW plane spots them and forces a crash dive.

With an engine you get Little Nellie. Only snag is it cannot hover or land/take off vertically.

Legion 4 your list is great.

Legion + 1

Amicalement
Armand

Thanks guys ! Being in the 101 Air Assault Div. in my long passed youth. Spending some time riding in and rappelling out helicopters, etc. I'm a bit interested in their history.