Military Helicopters (published 1985)

The first military helicopters to fly with the American Air Commando in 1944 during its operations in Burma were experimental machines. But the following year the Sikorsky R-4s came into service with the American army for reconnaissance. They had been developed by Ivan Sikorsky’s company.

He had flown the first VS-300 with its powered rotors on September 14th, 1939, when he proved that not only did these lift off the ground, but that the tail rotor prevented the helicopter from sinning in reaction to the main rotor’s power-to-rotate (torque).

The military use for helicopters were soon apparent, but the early machines could be easily be damaged by rifle fire. They vibrated to make any steady aiming of their weapons almost impossible and could not lift any worthwhile load...

The Military Helicopters book by James D. Ladd is part of the MODERN MILITARY TECHNIQUES series that introduces readers to the many kinds of weapon that have been developed for defense and for peace-keeping around the globe. Each volume in the series is illustrated with detailed full-color drawings and diagrams that show the air, sea, and land craft described in the text.

Other titles are Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious Techniques, Artillery, Bombers, Fighters, Submarines and Tanks.

Contents of the Military Helicopters book

• The History of Military Helicopters
• The Tank Killer
• Anti-Tank Tactics
• Combat Helicopter Battalions
• The Anatomy of a Helicopter
• Weapon Systems
• The Crew and Their Instruments
• Air-to-Air Combat
• Reece and Other Battle Helicopters
• The Ground Crew and Combat Maintenance
• Helicopters Go to Sea
• Submarine and Mine Hunters
• Anti-Submarine Tactics
• Sea Reconnaissance Actions
• Commando Helicopters
• Combat
• Some Wartime Operations
• Gunships in Vietnam
• Heavy Lifts
• The Future
• Abbreviations