Mushroom Model Publications

Rotorcraft of the Third Reich (Red Series #5109)

by  Ryszard Witkowski

Reviewed By  John Vitkus, IPMS# 30013

MSRP: 12.00 GB ISBN: 978-83-89450-43-2 Contact the publishers at www.mmpbooks.biz . A new title in the Mushroom Model Publications Red Series (aircraft history) covers a unique subject: German WWII helicopters and autogyros. It was something of a surprise to see a book on Nazi rotorcraft land on my review desk. Nevertheless, I dutifully began reading in preparation for this review, and I was rewarded with a concise yet thorough account of this small corner of aviation history written in a clear, engaging style. What a treat it was. Rotorcraft of the Third Reich is printed in Mushroom's familiar softcover small-format (9-1/2" X 6-1/2") and contains 104 pages printed on glossy, high-quality paper. Text is in highly readable English throughout, and most pages include several clear B/W photos - 134 in all. The cover and a section on museum aircraft contains a further 27 color photos. Interspersed throughout the text are 22 1/72 and two 1/48 detailed line drawings. There is also a section of 27 excellently rendered color profiles. A final section details several projects that were not put into production What is most valuable about this book, though, is the educational account of this unique topic. I am used to the standard design of most American helos dating back to Igor Sikorsky: a main rotor with a perpendicular tail rotor to counteract torque. In contrast, the Germans employed different design philosophies based on the work on three inventive aircraft designers: Walter Rieseler, Anton Flettner, and Henrich Focke. Rieseler built three prototypes employing two contrarotating main rotors. Unfortunately, his influence was brief due to a series of accidents unrelated to the design and Rieseler's premature death in 1938. Flettner developed a design of two interlocking main rotors revolving in opposite directions. Development of this design resulted in series production of the Fl-282 Kolibri (Hummingbird). Twenty-two were built during WWII, and some saw limited operational use in Lufttransportstaffel 40 evacuating high level personnel from embattled cities. Helo fans will recognize his influence on the design of the postwar U.S. Kaman HH-43 Huskie. Focke went in a different direction, employing extended booms on both sides of the fuselage that contained large counterrotating rotors. These worked much like the Chinook, only side-by-side rather than front-to-back. An early version of this design, the Fw-61, became famous when test pilots Karl Bode and Hanna Reitsch flew propaganda demonstration flights inside the Deutschlandhalle amphitheatre. Development of this design culminated in the Fa-223 Drache (Dragon), a large aircraft with a fuselage length of 12.25m (40ft) and a rotor span of 25m (80ft). This aircraft was used for limited rescue work in the final months of WWII. A total of 14 were completed, with many more incomplete airframes captured by the Soviets. The third German rotorcraft to see production was another Focke design, the Fa-330 Bachselze (Wagtail). This tiny aircraft was a minimalist development of the prewar autogiro concept. Ordered by the Kriegsmarine as observation platforms to be towed behind U-boats running on the surface, these were successful in their role. However, they were unpopular with submarine crews because they delayed the crash dive process - a delay that might well result in death. It is unclear how many Fa-330s were built; 14 survive in museums. This is an excellent account of early helicopter development from the German point of view. It makes for enjoyable, educational reading and is highly recommended for all aviation enthusiasts, including those like me who are not helicopter experts. The accompanying photos, scale plans, and profiles will be very useful to those building models of these aircraft. I know of kits in 1/72 scale for the Fl-265, Fw-61 (card), Fa-223, Fa-225, Fa-269, Fa-330, FW Triebflugel, WN-342, and Heliofly I and III/57 "backpack helicopters" and in 1/48 scale for the Fl-265, Fl-282, Fa-223, and Fa-330, FW Triebflugel. The Heliofly III/57 is also available in 1/35. Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications via John Noack for the review sample.

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