The Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache ("Dragon") was a helicopter developed by Germany during World War II. Noted for being the first helicopter to attain production status, Allied offensive actions limited production and approximately only 20 were actually produced. The aircraft was powered by a 1,000 horsepower radial engine (Bramo 323) which drove two, three-bladed 39 foot rotors, each mounted on twin booms on either side of the 40 foot long cylindrical fuselage. The aircraft was able to reach impressive speed, of up to 115 mph and heights of up to 23,000 feet. The Dragon, as the aircraft came to be known, could transport loads up to 2,200 lbs. at slower speeds and lower altitudes. During WWII one of these aircraft is said to performed the first helicopter air medevacs. A captured aircraft was the first helicopter to cross the English Channel. A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors consisting of two or more rotor blades. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... Focke-Achgelis was a German helicopter company founded in 1937 by Henrich Focke, and Gerd Achgelis. ... Focke-Achgelis was a German helicopter company founded in 1937 by Henrich Focke, and Gerd Achgelis. ... A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors consisting of two or more rotor blades. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Bramo 323 Fafnir was a 9-cylinder radial aircraft engine of the World War II era. ... A Beechcraft King Air of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. ... Satellite view of the English Channel The English Channel (French: (IPA: ), the sleeve) is the part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. ...

Operators

•  Czechoslovakia (post war)
•  France (post war)
•  Germany

Image File history File links Flag_of_Czechoslovakia_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany_1933. ...

Specifications (Fa 223)

General characteristics

• Length: 12.25 m (ft in)
• Rotor diameter: 12.00 m (ft in)
• Height: 4.35 m (ft in)
• Disc area: m² (ft²)
• Empty weight: kg (lb)
• Loaded weight: kg (lb)
• Useful load: kg (kg)
• Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
• Powerplant: × BMW-Bramo 323 D 9-Zylinder-Sternmotor, kW (1,000 hp) each

Performance

• Never exceed speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Maximum speed: 175 km/h (knots, mph)
• Cruise speed: 120 km/h (knots, mph)
• Stall speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Range: 700 km (nm, mi)
• Service ceiling: 2,010 m (ft)
• Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
• Disc loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: W/kg (hp/lb)

In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... An aircrafts Vne is the velocity that should never be exceeded. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Airspeed Indicator in a light aircraft The VC of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of cruising. ... Stall speed is an aerodynamic term. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing as limited by its fuel capacity. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... Power-to-weight ratio is a measure commonly used when comparing various vehicles (or engines), including automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft. ...

References

External links

• http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/Fa_223/DI52.htm

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