Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache
Focke-Achgelis · Germany · first flew 1940 · transport aircraft
The Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache ('Dragon') was a German twin-rotor helicopter developed during World War II that was the first helicopter to be mass-produced, though Allied bombing repeatedly destroyed production facilities before significant numbers could enter service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Single BMW Bramo radial engine in central fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-rotor helicopter with rotors on lateral outrigger booms
- Single BMW Bramo radial engine in central fuselage
- First helicopter to cross the Alps — large slab-sided fuselage pod
A large tandem-boom helicopter with twin two-blade rotors mounted on lateral outrigger arms, a single radial engine in the central pod, and a fixed four-wheel undercarriage; the twin-rotor arrangement on outrigger arms is unique among WWII-era aircraft.
Specifications
- The Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache has a length of 12.25 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.5 m (80 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 182 km/h (113 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in August 1940, the Fa 223 demonstrated impressive lifting capability and in 1942 became the first helicopter to cross the Alps. It was intended for rescue, transport, and anti-submarine roles, but Allied air raids on manufacturing plants meant only about 20 were ever completed.
Variants
The Fa 223V1 through V14 were development prototypes; the Fa 223E was the intended production version for transport and rescue; the proposed Fa 223D was a heavily armed gunship variant that was not completed.
Where you'll see it
Only a handful saw limited operational use with the Luftwaffe for rescue and transport missions; one example was ferried to Britain after the war for evaluation by the RAF.
Related aircraft
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