wwII helicopters

Discussion in 'General' started by raf, Dec 14, 2006.

  1. raf

    raf Senior Member

    the Helicopter was developed around 1940 although early models did have some problems.

    how could the allies have used these to effect in 1942 on wards..

    did they play any part in D,DAY etc.



    also by 1940 it was possible to fly over the atlantic from the UK to the US.

    were there many flights over the atlantic carrying goods and if so would it not have been easier and quicker than the ships

    cheers.
     
  2. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

    There's a great history of helicopters during the war:

    Up To 50s

    with the first operational flight in an operational theatre:

    Medevac Helicopters in Burma

    I don't much else about their use during the war, but one film that really really bugs me is "Where eagles Dare", with Burton and Eastwood - they use a helicopter in their escape.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    A 1947 Bell no less...
     
  4. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

    Sorry raf, forgot about your second question. Yes, aircraft were used across the atlantic, but due to the shortages of cargo planes, and the limited amounts that each plane could carry meant that it was really only used for key personnel and very limited amounts of the most urgent freight. Also, when fully loaded, most planes could not cross the atlantic directly, and so had to use bases in Greenland, Iceland or if taking the southernly route, the little island base of (bugger I've forgotten the name - will get back to you on that).

    The sheer amounts that ships could carry out weighed all other considerations.
     
  5. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just read Alanbrooke describing his flight with Churchill and others to Washington DC from Stranraer in a Boeing Clipper in 26 1/2 hours non-stop.

    That's what aircraft across the Atlantic were best for, moving the Top Brass around quickly.
     
  7. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    "Where eagles Dare", with Burton and Eastwood - they use a helicopter in their escape.

    No they don't!
     
  8. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    No they don't!
    :lol: Ju52-tastic.

    On air transport, Wouldn't the most valuable cargo other than VIP's shifted that way quite often be the Planes themselves?
     
  9. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

    No they don't!

    Show off :) Yes, I know, what I meant to say was that there was a helicopter used in the film but they actually used a cable car etc to escape. :eek:
     
  10. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

    :lol: Ju52-tastic.

    On air transport, Wouldn't the most valuable cargo other than VIP's shifted that way quite often be the Planes themselves?

    The American history of the AAF during WW2 (Volume 7) goes into detail about how planes were shipped over. Initially, most were flown over by their proposed crews, but the accident rate was deemed very high, especially during the winter months:

    HyperWar: Army Air Forces in WWII: Volume VII: Services Around the World
     
  11. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Show off :) Yes, I know, what I meant to say was that there was a helicopter used in the film but they actually used a cable car etc to escape. :eek:

    Yes. It was blown up as a diversion.
     

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