Focke-Wulf Fw 61
Germany · Interwar (1919–1938)
The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 (later Focke-Achgelis Fa 61) was a German experimental twin-rotor helicopter — the world's first practical fully-controllable helicopter. Heinrich Focke designed the Fw 61 in 1932-1936 at Focke-Wulf; the prototype first flew on 26 June 1936 — the first sustained controlled hover flight in aviation history. Only 2 Fw 61 airframes were built. The aircraft set 6 world helicopter records 1937-1938 + demonstrated practical helicopter role that seeded all subsequent rotorcraft development.
The Fw 61 used a Bramo Sh 14A 7-cylinder radial engine (160 hp) driving 2 transverse three-blade rotors (one on each side of the fuselage). Maximum speed 122 km/h, range 230 km, service ceiling 2,440 m. The aircraft used a fixed-wing aircraft fuselage with the rotors mounted on outriggers extending from each side of the fuselage. The transverse-rotor layout (rather than coaxial or tandem) provided stable hovering role + forward flight transition.
Fw 61 demonstration history was historically large. The 26 June 1936 first flight was the world's first sustained controlled helicopter hover. Famous demonstrations included a 25 June 1937 flight by Ewald Rohlfs (3,427 m altitude, 17 min 36 s endurance, 122.6 km/h speed — all world helicopter records). The most-famous flight was Hanna Reitsch's 1938 indoor demonstration at the Deutschlandhalle Berlin — she flew the Fw 61 inside the 18,000-seat sports arena before audiences, demonstrating helicopter manoeuvrability. The Fw 61 design seeded subsequent Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 transport helicopter (1940). About 0 Fw 61 airframes survive; the 2 prototypes were destroyed during WWII.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was the world's first practical working helicopter. Heinrich Focke designed it in 1932 and 1936. The prototype first flew on 26 June 1936. That was the first time in history a helicopter could hover under full pilot control.
The Fw 61 had two rotors mounted on the sides of the body, one on each side. This is called a transverse rotor layout. A 160-horsepower piston engine in the front of the body spun both rotors through a long shaft.
The helicopter set six world helicopter records between 1937 and 1938. Famous German pilot Hanna Reitsch flew an Fw 61 inside a sports stadium in Berlin in 1938. People in the stands watched the helicopter rise straight up, hover, and land on a small spot. It was a huge moment for the world.
The Fw 61 is smaller than most modern helicopters. Its body was about as long as a small minivan. Only two Fw 61 helicopters were ever built. Both were destroyed during World War II, but the design proved that helicopters could really work.
Fun Facts
- The Fw 61 was the world's first practical helicopter.
- It first flew on 26 June 1936.
- The helicopter used two rotors on the sides of the body instead of one on top.
- It set six world helicopter records between 1937 and 1938.
- Famous pilot Hanna Reitsch flew an Fw 61 inside a Berlin sports stadium in 1938.
- Only two Fw 61 helicopters were ever built, and both were lost during World War II.
Kids’ Questions
Why does the Fw 61 have two rotors on the sides?
One big rotor on top of a helicopter wants to make the rest of the body spin in the opposite direction. Most modern helicopters use a small tail rotor to stop this. Heinrich Focke chose two side-by-side rotors that spin in opposite directions. They cancel each other out, so the body stays still.
Why is the Fw 61 important?
The Fw 61 proved that helicopters could really work. Before 1936, many people had tried to build helicopters, but most could not even hover for very long. The Fw 61 hovered, climbed, turned, and landed safely. Every helicopter since then owes something to this one design.
Variants
- Fw 61 V1 + V2 (only prototypes)
- Two airframes 1936-1938. Both destroyed during WWII.
Notable Operators
- Focke-Wulf / Focke-Achgelis (test programme only)
- Sole user. Test programmes + public demonstrations 1936-1940. Did not enter in-service service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Fw 61 really the first helicopter?
The first practical fully-controllable helicopter. Earlier rotorcraft achievements (Sikorsky 1908, Etienne Oehmichen 1924, Italian d'Ascanio 1930, Spanish Cierva autogyros 1923+) achieved several rotorcraft milestones but were not fully-controllable helicopters in the modern sense (controlled hover + forward flight + landing without forward motion). The Fw 61 on 26 June 1936 demonstrated full helicopter role + set the standard that all subsequent helicopter designs followed.
Did Hanna Reitsch really fly inside a building?
Yes. Hanna Reitsch (one of the most-famous German test pilots) flew the Fw 61 inside the Deutschlandhalle sports arena in Berlin in February 1938 + April 1938. The 18,000-seat indoor arena demonstrated the helicopter's precise hovering + manoeuvrability to thousands of spectators. The indoor flights are famous because no fixed-wing aircraft could have performed such a demonstration. Reitsch's flights generated worldwide publicity for German helicopter technology.
What helicopters descended from the Fw 61?
The Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache (1940) — the world's first transport-capable helicopter, used by Luftwaffe for limited cargo + reconnaissance missions 1942-1945. Postwar Focke-Achgelis design principles influenced French Sud-Ouest helicopter designs + indirectly the entire helicopter industry. The Sikorsky R-4 (1942 — first U.S. production helicopter) was developed independently but drew lessons from publicised Fw 61 + Fa 223 designs.
Sources
See Also
- Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache — Direct transport helicopter successor
- Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri — Sister German WWII helicopter
- Sikorsky R-4 — First U.S. production helicopter (independent development)