Flettner Fl 265

The Flettner Fl 265 was an experimental helicopter by Anton Flettner.

The helicopter was developed in 1938 with the support of the Navy. With the Fl 265 could be changed back easily in flight from the helicopter state to state and gyroplane first time. This was the Fl 265 as the safest helicopter in its time. In contrast to the Fl 185 Fl 265 had two intermeshing rotors with 12 meters in diameter. When driving a BMW Bramo Sh 14 A was used with 160 hp. Six test samples were manufactured. In the years 1940 and 1941 trials of a Flettner Fl 265 were carried out on the cruiser Köln, plus a landing platform on the tower B was built. The chief test pilot of Flettner Ludwig Hofmann landed and took off with the Fl 265 V4 several times on the platform. These maneuvers were part of a demonstration in front of senior officers of the Reich Air Ministry and the High Command of the Navy, among other Generalluftzeugmeister Ernst Udet and Admiral Otto Schniewind. The aviation historian Steve Coates writes: " In subsequent trials Hofmann was able to demonstrate the Seerettungspotenzial the Fl 265. It inflatables were pulled ashore and flown dolls on land," Admiral Schniewind then urged on the development of Fl 265 Mass production, however, was in favor of the Flettner Fl 282 withdrawn.