Early Helicopters

[Tosh McCaber]

Can anyone say how difficult it would have been to fly the likes of the end of WW2 Sikorsky Dragonfly or similar, compared with any of the modern breed of helicopters? What would have been missing from the early types that are taken for granted today?

Is there anyone still around who flew one of the post-war types?

[Revolutionary]

Umm, throttle governor comes to mind.

[outofwhack]

No Idea - I'm still flying the ones from the end of WW2 !

[Dave_Jackson]

Historical trivia;

Flettner FL-282 helicopters were used in WWII and they were equipped with a rotor governor.

http://www.unicopter.com/0831.html

[Revolutionary]

If you're ever in Bristol, it's well worth paying a visit to the Industrial Museum located in a former warehouse on the city's very scenic waterfront (check ahead for opening times -they may be undergoing renovations at this time). It's full of cool and memorable artifacts of Bristol's great industrial and maritime past. Included in the collection is a beautiful Bristol Sycamore helicopter. It's larger than an EC135 and weighs only slightly less, but it is powered by a single 550hp (!) engine. Makes you appreciate your modern engine power...