Autogyro - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Brian · #1 22nd April 2006, 21:45

Hi guys

I undertand that the Autogyro was used by the RAF in France in early 1940 (81 Squadron?) but were they used operationally? Has someone out there any knowledge of these fascinating machines. Presumably they were not much use for their intended role of artillery spotting or else they would have been used later.

Over to you

Cheers
Brian

BIGVERN1966 · #2 23rd April 2006, 10:24

RAF used them mainly for RDF (Radar) Calibration Duties. Units included 71 Signals Wing, 1448 Flight at Halton and 529 Sqn at Halton and then Henley. Any details of the aircraft used by these 3 units would be useful for one of my own projects. (529 Sqn had Detachments at Horsham St Faith and I’m looking of details of an aircraft swap that was carried out on 03 Jan 45 between Horsham and Henley (ORB at Kew is hand-written and almost unreadable).

Franek Grabowski · #3 24th April 2006, 00:26

Brian, are you interested in RAF autogyros only?

Brian · #4 24th April 2006, 13:29

Hi Franek

Yes, mainly on operational service in France 1939/40. Have you any information? But what other air forces do you have in mind?

Cheers
Brian

shooshoobaby · #5 24th April 2006, 17:42

Brian -
As a Historical note - FYI. The Japanese used Autogyros during the defense of the Phillipines late 44 - 45.
Cheers

Graham Boak · #6 24th April 2006, 17:53

There are a couple of recent French books on their use of the Cierva/Avro/LeO autogyros, which was more comprehensive than the RAF trials.

Stig Jarlevik · #7 24th April 2006, 21:01

Hallo Brian

There are a few sentences in both Rawlings Coastal Support and Special Squadrons and Peter Brooks' Cierva Autogiros. Since this is VERY little I suppose youalready have these details but if you are still interested give me a call and I write down what they say

Cheers
Stig

Franek Grabowski · #8 24th April 2006, 21:24

Brian
A friend of mine published an article on Kamov autogyros last year. Interestingly, there was a British trace there.

Brian · #9 24th April 2006, 21:38

Thanks guys

I know really nothing about these fascinating machines, so will investigate all published works. Many thanks for the leads.

Cheers
Brian

alex crawford · #10 24th April 2006, 22:47

Hi Brian,

In a recent issue of Small Air Forces Observer there was an article on Autogyros that were used by a number of different nations. I can send a copy of the article if you want it.

Alex