Autogyro

[Brian]

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]

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]

Brian, are you interested in RAF autogyros only?

[Brian]

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]

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

[Graham Boak]

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.