SNCASO SO.1221 Djinn
Sud-Ouest · France · first flew 1953 · helicopter
The SNCASO SO.1221 Djinn was a French light helicopter notable for being the world's first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production, and for its innovative tip-jet rotor system which eliminated the need for a tail rotor. Compressed air from a turbine was ducted to nozzles at the rotor blade tips.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- World's first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production
- Tip-jet rotor — compressed air ejected from blade tips
- No tail rotor needed due to tip-jet anti-torque
Tiny helicopter with a distinctive absence of tail rotor; the tip-jet rotor and rounded pod fuselage make it immediately recognisable.
Specifications
- The SNCASO SO.1221 Djinn has a length of 5.3 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1953 and entering production in 1956, the Djinn was used by the French Army as a liaison and observation helicopter. The US Army also evaluated it and purchased a small number. Its gas-turbine powerplant gave it a significant performance advantage over piston-engined contemporaries.
Variants
SO.1221 production version; a two-seat side-by-side variant was built in limited numbers.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) and evaluated by the US Army; also used by a small number of civil operators.
Related aircraft
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