Flettner Gigant

The Flettner Gigant was an experimental helicopter built in Germany during the early 1930s.[1]

Gigant
Role Helicopter
National origin Germany
Designer Anton Flettner
First flight 1932 (tethered)
Number built 1

Design and development

Anton Flettner was an early rotary-wing pioneer in Germany, he developed a torqueless rotor by powering it with small engines fixed directly to the blades driving propellers. this arrangement drove the rotor without transmitting torque (other than bearing friction) to the fuselage.[1]

A successful tethered flight was carried out in 1932, but the aircraft was destroyed soon afterwards when it overturned in a gale.[1]

Specifications (variant specified)

Data from Green[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Powerplant: 2 × Anzani 3-cyl. Y (Radial) 30hp air-cooled radial piston engine, 22 kW (30 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 30 m (98 ft 5 in)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed tractor fixed pitch propellers

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Green, William (2010). Aircraft of the Third Reich. Vol.1 (1st ed.). London. p. 328. ISBN 978 1 900732 06 2.
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