Baumgärtl Heliofly III
Paul Baumgärtl · Germany · first flew 1942 · helicopter
The Baumgärtl Heliofly III was an experimental backpack helicopter designed and built by the Austrian designer Paul Baumgärtl in the 1940s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Experimental backpack helicopter flown by one person
- Two contra-rotating rotors on a common coaxial shaft
- Single small piston engine of about 16 hp
Look for a backpack-type helicopter with two rotors on one shaft, one driven directly by the engine and the other through gearing to overcome torque.
Specifications
- The Baumgärtl Heliofly III has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew in 1942, following Baumgärtl's earlier experiments with strap-on autogyros. One example was built.
Variants
The Heliofly III/57 had two 8 hp Argus As 8 engines, each driving a single contra-rotating blade. A supply problem with that engine forced a redesign as the III/59, with one 16 hp engine driving two rotors on a common coaxial shaft.
Where you'll see it
It remained an experimental machine, with one built.
Related aircraft
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