Fairey FB-1 Gyrodyne

The Fairey FB-1 Gyrodyne was an experimental British rotorcraft with a single lifting rotor and a tractor propeller on the tip of the starboard stub wing that gave both propulsion and anti-torque reaction. It was the first of a third type of rotorcraft, the gyrodyne. Fairey announced it as a private venture in April 1946, built to a design by Dr J A J Bennett from his earlier work at the Cierva Autogiro Company. The first of two prototypes took off from White Waltham on 4 December 1947, and on 28 June 1948 it flew at 124 mph to secure a world speed record. A single Alvis Leonides radial engine of 520 horsepower drove both rotor and propeller. The British Army had chosen it for use in Malaya, with an order for six approved, but a fatal crash of the first prototype, traced to a poorly machined flapping hinge retaining nut, delayed the programme. The second prototype was rebuilt as the Jet Gyrodyne.