Rotocraft
Helicopters
Key historical rotorcraft models
Key historical rotorcraft include the Sikorsky R-4, the first mass-produced helicopter used in WWII, and the Bell 47, famous for its bubble cockpit and versatile use after the 1940s. The Autogyro, created in the 1920s, was an early successful rotorcraft with a free-spinning rotor. The V-22 Osprey later combined helicopter and airplane features with its tiltrotor design. These models were important milestones in rotorcraft history.
Types of Rotocrafts
Rotorcraft are aircraft that use rotating blades to generate lift. The main types include helicopters, which have one or more large rotors that allow them to hover, take off, and land vertically. Another type is the autogyro, which uses a freely spinning rotor for lift and a separate engine-powered propeller for forward motion. There are also tiltrotor aircraft that combine features of helicopters and airplanes, with rotors that can tilt to allow both vertical takeoff and faster forward flight.