Focke Achgelis Fa 223
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| Fa 223 Drache | |
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| Type | Helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Achgelis |
| Introduced | 1941 |
| Primary users | Luftwaffe France Czechoslovakia |
| Number built | ≈11 |
The Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache ("Dragon"in English) was a helicopter developed by Germany during World War II. Noted for being the first helicopter to attain production status, Allied offensive actions limited production and approximately only 20 were made. It was powered by a 1,000 horsepower radial engine (Bramo 323) which drove two, three-bladed 39 foot rotors, each mounted on twin booms on either side of the 40 foot long cylindrical fuselage. Although the Fa 223 Drache (Dragon) could maintain a top speed of to 109 mph (175 km/h), speeds as high as 113 mph (182 km/h) have been reported and altitudes of 23,200' (7,100 m). The Dragon could transport cargo loads of over 1,200 lbs. at cruising speeds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and altitudes approaching 8,000' (2,440 m). [1] [2] [3]
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[edit] Operational history
During WWII an Fa 223 Drache is said to have performed the first helicopter air medevacs. A captured Fa 223 Drache was the first helicopter to cross the English Channel[4].
[edit] Operators
- Luftwaffe
- Transportstaffel 40
- Post War
Czechoslovakia
- Czechoslovak Air Force received 2 built post war, designated as VR-1.
- French Air Force received 1 built post war, designated as SE-3000.
[edit] Specifications (Fa 223)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: 1 Pilot + 3 Aircrew (Opt. for Anti-Submarine, Rescues & Searches)
- Capacity: Pilot & Aircrew + 8 Soldiers or 4 litters for Evac of wounded Soldiers.
- Length: 12.25 m (40 ft 2 in)
- Rotor diameter: 12.00 m (39 ft 4 in)
- Height: 4.35 m (14 ft 3 in)
- Empty weight: 3,180 kg (7,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,860 kg (8,500 lb))
- Useful load: 1,002 kg (2,202 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,309 - 4434 kg (9,500 - 9775 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× BMW-Bramo 323 D 9 Cylinder Radial Engine, 746 kW (1,000 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 175 km/h (94.5 kn, 109 mph)
- Cruise speed: 121 km/h (65.3 kn, 75 mph)
- Range: 700 km (378 NM, 435 mi)
- Service ceiling At Max take-off weight - 2,400 m (7,874 ft)
- Rate of climb: 4 m/s (13 ft/s)
Armament 1 - MG 15 manually aimed from the nose. 2 - 250 kg (551 lb.) bombs.
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[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
[edit] See also
Related development
- Focke Achgelis Fa 61
- Focke Achgelis Fa 266
Comparable aircraft
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