German helicopter development began with Focke Wulf’s acquisition of the rights to manufacture Cierva autogyros during the 1920’s. Over 30 Cierva C.19 and C.30 autogyros were built during the late twenties and early thirties, and from this experience, Heinrich Focke, the engineering half of the Focke Wulf organization, decided to develop an original autogyro design to compete in the Luftwaffe’s contest to provide a utility-liaison aircraft. The Fa 186 was a one-man autogyro built by Focke-Wulf in 1937 with backing from the RLM (ReichsLuftfahrtMinisterium – Reich Aviation Ministry).

The Fa-186 was essentially a FW-56 “Stosser” parasol wing advanced trainer, with the wings removed, tail unit and landing gear redesigned and configured for two seats in tandem. The engine remained unchanged, with a clutch arrangement installed to start the blades rotating for takeoff. An autogyro uses the main powerplant for forward thrust while the rotors freewheel in flight. The aircraft could take off and land in very short distances, but it could not hover or take off and land vertically. Although the Fa-186 was successfully flown it was beaten out by the Fieseler Fi-156 Storch for the Luftwaffe contract. Only one prototype of the aircraft was constructed, and the project was abandoned when the RLM preferred the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch over the Fw 186.

The ilmavoimat / Maavoimat team did evaluate the Fa-186 very early in 1938, and while it was considered not suitable for the intended role and was removed from consideration, one of the Maavoimat Officers on the evaluation team (who was also familiar with the Glider Program underway) considered the gyrocopter interesting enough to recommend further discussions with the FockeWulf company to his own immediate Command.

Engine: Argus As 10C, 240 hp
Maximum speed: 112 mph

The development contract for the Fl 185 was issued by the RLM in February 1937; two SV-Types were planned. It was given the designation “Helicopter Conversion 184” in the Aircraft Development Program, because the planned Fl 184 V3 was used in the construction of the Fl 185 V1. The Fl 185 project was financed with the insurance sum received from the destroyed Fl 184 V1 and a grant of approximately RM 50,000 from the RLM. Mockup inspection took place in April 1937.

The Fl 185 was a gyroplane equipped with a three-blade rotor. Torque balance was achieved by means of variable-pitch pusher propellers driven by extension shafts located at the ends of outriggers mounted on each side of the fuselage. The starboard propeller produced backward thrust, the port forward, so that the total moment exerted on the fuselage balanced that of the main rotor. The centrally-mounted Sh.14A engine drove, in addition to the rotor and anti-torque propellers, a large cooling fan in the nose consuming about 14hp. The main gearbox was in the front part of the cockpit.

The sole prototype built was the Fl 184 V1 D-ELFT, which carried out a number of flights m 1938. The Fl.185, which had a three-wheeled undercarriage, was given only a few tests near the ground, and then abandoned in favour of the Fl.265, which embodied the intermeshing rotor system on which Flettner had now begun to work.

Fl 185
Engine: 1 x Siemens-Halske SH 14A, 140hp
Rotor diameter: 12m
Weight fully loaded: 898kg
Empty weight: 771kg
Seats: 1

In December 1934 talks were held by the development group of the RLM (LC II) in the presence of State Secretary Milch which were to lead to important decisions concerning future air armaments.

The following is noted in the minutes under Section 4 “Rotary Wing Aircraft”: “The development of rotary wing aircraft is to receive preferential treatment. Consequently all work now under way is to be accelerated, as these aircraft will presumably be of significance for land and sea use in the future.”

In the LC II.1’s general working plan (Dec. 1935) “rotary wing aircraft” appeared under the heading: “Sport, basic training, advanced training and special aircraft” (Report II/1a). The following types are listed: Fi 184, Fw 61, Focke Wulf project (the later Fw 186) and LC 30 Focke-Wulf license.

In January 1935 Flettner received a development contract from the RLM for an “experimental autogiro” (autogiro with three-blade rotor). Three so-called “SV-Types” were planned. Inspection of the mockup took place in June 1935. Only one prototype, the Fl 184 V1 D-EDVE was built. The aircraft was destroyed as a result of pilot error in the course of its maiden flight in December 1936. The Fl 184’s external shape still exhibited a certain similarity to the C 30 autogiro being built under license by Focke-Wulf at that time. Power was provided by an Sh 14 engine driving a conventional propeller.

The Fl 185 project was financed with the insurance sum received from the destroyed Fl 184 V1 and a grant of approximately RM 50,000 from the RLM.

Fl 184
Engine: 1 x Siemens-Halske 14, 140hp
Rotor diameter: 12m
Seats: 1