Cierva C.30
The Focke -Wulf Fw 30 " grasshopper " was an experimental autogyro of the Focke- Wulf Flugzeugbau AG. This is a licensed construction of the Cierva C.30.
History
After testing with the built also at Focke-Wulf Cierva C.19 autogyro in license, the Reich Air Ministry (RLM) in 1933 ordered two pieces of succession pattern C.30 at AVRoe. These were delivered in November 1934, and approved as D- and D- EKOM EKOP at Focke -Wulf. They were tested in the E- Stelle Rechlin. Originally, the Hamburger Flugzeugbau GmbH was to build seven of this pattern as a pilot series, but failed for financial reasons. So this order went to Focke -Wulf. In a field testing with the army in July 1935, the D- EKOP did break, but was re-established. Upon further testing for use on board ships in the E site Travemünde was again one of the two machines to break. The fate of the other is not known. The Fw 30 were built by Focke- Wulf, after the company had also acquired for the reproduction rights. Since the RLM to the autogyro continued as liaison aircraft high hopes, commissioned on 36 aircraft was issued in December 1935, which was a few months later even increased to 40.
Construction
The Fw 30 differed from its predecessor mainly in that she had no wings. She had a Siemens Sh 14 B- radial engine with 140 hp (103 kW), who worked on a two -bladed wooden propeller. To start the otherwise held only by the wind to rotate three-bladed rotor was briefly brought by a disengageable shaft connection to the required speed.