Vought-Sikorsky VS-300
Vought-Sikorsky · United States · first flew 1939 · helicopter
The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 was an experimental single-engine helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky. It was the first successful single-lifting-rotor helicopter in the United States.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.53 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single three-blade main rotor
- Single vertical tail rotor for anti-torque
- Could be fitted with floats as an amphibian
A small open-framed helicopter with a single three-blade main rotor and a single tail rotor turning in a vertical plane.
Specifications
- The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 has a length of 8.53 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 80 km/h (50 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Sikorsky began his search for a practical helicopter in 1938. The VS-300 was first flown tethered on 14 September 1939, and its first free flight came on 13 May 1940.
Variants
The VS-300 was an experimental one-off. It was developed into the Sikorsky R-4.
Where you'll see it
It was a research machine rather than a service type. Fitted with floats, it became the first practical amphibious helicopter.
Related aircraft
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