Focke-Wulf Fw 61

Focke-Wulf · Germany · first flew 1936 · helicopter

The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was a pioneering German helicopter that demonstrated practical rotary-wing flight in 1936, setting multiple world records and establishing the viability of the helicopter concept.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Open-framework fuselage with fixed skid-style undercarriage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

One of the world's first practical helicopters, twin side-by-side rotors on outrigger frames
BMW Bramo radial engine driving two contra-rotating lateral rotors
Open-framework fuselage with fixed skid-style undercarriage

Distinctive twin-rotor layout with two three-bladed rotors mounted on lateral outrigger struts above a conventional-looking fuselage, with a small tractor propeller at the nose for cooling only.

Specifications

The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 has a length of 7.29 m (24 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.2 m (24 ft).
Its maximum speed is 122 km/h (76 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Heinrich Focke, the Fw 61 first flew in June 1936 and quickly set records for speed, altitude and endurance. It was famously demonstrated indoors at the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin in 1938 by aviator Hanna Reitsch, capturing worldwide attention.

Variants

Two prototypes were built; the design led directly to the larger Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache helicopter.

Where you'll see it

The Fw 61 was purely experimental and never entered operational service, but it fundamentally proved the helicopter as a viable aircraft.

Related aircraft

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