helicopters

By Xavier Larson

  • 1912

    1912
    Igor Sikorsky and Boris Yur’ev both build a vertical lift machine, yet neither is powerful enough for substantial flight.

  • 1923

    1923
    Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva builds the CA Autogiro

  • 1940

    1940
    The FA 223 helicopter is first flown in Germany. The 223, nicknamed “Dragon”, was designed with two rotors on either side of the body, and a teardrop shaped cockpit (driver’s seat).

  • 1944

    1944
    : Britain was the first to use a helicopter in wartime, when a Sikorsky R-4 “Hoverfly” rescued a pilot and three injured passengers in the mountains of Burma.

  • 1950

    1950
    The bell 47, known as the OH-13, loudly hovers over the scene, one of the most known helicopters of the time, largely due to the TV series M*A*S*H.

  • 1960's

    1960's
    The Vietnam War, known as the Helicopter War, allows the helicopter to spread its rotor blades and take on much more. The most notable of them include the U.S. with the Bell UH-1 “Huey”, AH-1 Cobra, Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight, and CH-47 Chinook. The Russians developed the Mi-1, Mi-4, and the Mi-8.

  • 1976

    1976
    one of the most iconic helicopters, the UH-60 “Black Hawk” was first flown, and more than 2,400 “Black Hawks” are in use.

  • 1977

    1977
    the largest helicopter, the Russian Mil Mi-26 “Halo” first took flight, it can carry 70 to 80 passengers at 155 mph.