The birth of the world's first helicopter

THE US VS-300 was the world's first operational single-rotor helicopter, laying the foundation for modern helicopter technology.

The first test flight of the VS-300 helicopter took place in 1939. Photo: Rare Historical Photos

The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 was the first American single-engine helicopter, developed by Russian-born American engineer Igor Sikorsky. The original design featured a three-blade rotor, powered by a 75-horsepower (56 kW) engine. The original design, along with subsequent improvements to the aircraft, influenced many features found on modern helicopters.

Igor Sikorsky's development of a working helicopter began in 1938, when he was engineering manager for the Vought-Sikorsky division of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). He convinced UAC executives that his years of research into the problems of rotary-wing aircraft would lead to a breakthrough.

His first experimental aircraft, the VS-300, flew on September 14, 1939, while still tethered to the cables. On May 13, 1940, the VS-300 completed its first free flight. The world's first successful single-rotor helicopter, the VS-300 reached an altitude of 4.5 to 6 m and advanced 60 m forward, then hovered in place, reversed direction, and landed safely.

One of the first flights of the VS-300. Photo: Wikimedia

In developing rotary-wing aircraft, Sikorsky was the first to use a single engine to power both the main rotor system and the tail rotor. For some later VS-300 flights, Sikorsky added a vertical flying surface at the tail end to help with anti-rotation, but this was later removed as ineffective.

Sikorsky also equipped the VS-300 with floats and performed a water landing on April 17, 1941, making it the first operational amphibious helicopter. On May 6, 1941, Sikorsky flew the aircraft and set a world record for flight time, reaching 1 hour, 32 minutes, 26.1 seconds.

In May 1942, a two-seat version of the VS-300 was delivered to the US Army. The final version of the VS-300 was powered by a 150-horsepower Franklin engine. It was one of the first helicopters capable of carrying cargo.
In 1943, the VS-300 was transferred to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. The helicopter has remained on display ever since, except for a return to the Sikorsky Aircraft plant for restoration in 1985.

The success of the VS-300 and the lessons learned from its development laid the foundation for further advances in helicopter technology. Sikorsky's continued research and testing led to more complex and better performing helicopters that helped define the modern rotary-wing aircraft industry.