Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri

The Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri (hummingbird) was a German helicopter developed for the Kriegsmarine during World War II. It was a small, single-seat, open-cockpit flying machine, which saw operational service, as a prototype, in the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 24 Kolibris were built. Due to its excellent performance during flight tests, an order for 1,000 helicopters was requested. However, it never entered mass production, because Allied bombing raids destroyed the BMW and Flettner industrial facilities.

Below, the Kolibri during trials in September 1941, aboard a German vessel. Operationally, it was employed on spotting duties.

The first prototype of the Flettner Fl 282 made its maiden flight in August 1941. It began carrying out operational duties in the Summer of 1942, taking off from the landing pad on German warships. It flew reconnaissance and patrol sorties for convoy protection duties. The convoy ships carried military supply to the Axis troops in North Africa. It was discovered that as the helicopter pilots gained experience, the Kolibri could be flown in bad weather conditions. This early type of flying machine was extremely maneuverable, reliable, and stable, even in poor weather, as it became the basis for future helicopter development during the postwar period.

Technical Description

The Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri was a compact, single-seat helicopter, without a tail rotor. It was fitted with two opposite-rotation main rotors set up above the fuselage. These counter-rotation rotors compensated the lack of a tail one. They were turned by two drive shafts engaged by a gearbox on top of fuselage. The fuselage airframe was made of steel tubes, which were covered by hardened fabric. The helicopter was equipped with fixed tricycle landing gear.

The Fl 282 was powered by one BMW Bramo Sh 14A, 7-cylinder, radial piston engine, developing 160 horsepower. This engine was mounted in the center of fuselage, with the open cockpit located in the nose of frontal portion of helicopter. The posterior portion of fuselage tapered to a point, above which the tail fin was set up. The tail had an unusual large rudder for stability.

Specifications

Type: single-seat reconnaissance helicopter.

Length: 6.56 m (21 feet, 6 inches)

Diameter of Rotors: 11.96 m (39 feet, 2 inches)

Height: 2.20 m (7 feet, 2 inches)

Power Plant: one 160-HP, BMW Bramo Sh 14A, 7-cylinder radial engine.

Maximum Speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)

Range: 170 km (106 miles)

Ceiling: 3,300 m (10,825 feet)

The Flettner Fl 282 during WW2 (video)

 

Below, The Kolibri, V7 prototype, in 1942. It was fitted with a glazed nose, which was one of the many variations.

The V12 prototype in July 1942.