Göttinger Monograph N German Research and Development on Rotary-wing Aircraft (1939-1945)

Göttinger Monograph N offers an unparalleled view into the early days of helicopter development, where Germany initially led technical innovation. Following World War II, the British Ministry of Supply ordered the German aeronautical research establishments in Göttingen (AVA) and Braunschweig (DFL) to summarize aeronautical research results obtained from 1939 to 1945 in a series of monographs. Göttinger Monograph N was the only of these documents to describe the development, of rotary-wing aircraft. Originally prepared under the direction of Albert Betz by Gerhard Sissingh and O.H. Nagel, the German-language document, now publicly available for the first time entirely in English, has been edited and translated by Berend G. van der Wall. Göttinger Monograph N describes German helicopter and autogyro development, highlighting the involvement of Henrich Focke, Anton Flettner, Friedrich von Doblhoff, and others who brought rotorcraft into series production maturity. It features aircraft including the Fw-61, the Fa-223, the Fa-230, the Fl-339, and more. It explores such areas as testing and accidents, Glauert-Lock-Wheatley's rotary-wing theory, performance investigations, and flying qualities. This unique historical and scientific contribution belongs on the shelf of anyone who seeks to understand the early engineering concepts that underlay the development of rotary-wing aircraft. Book jacket.