1942


Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly





The R-4 was the US military designation of the VS-316A, essentially an improved VS-300 with a fully enclosed, fabric-covered structure (the last metre or so of the tail skeleton was left uncovered), slightly larger main rotor diameter, improved engine and without the small, nose-mounted stabilising wheel.

Following promising performance by a prototype, United Aircraft (Vought-Sikorsky Division) accepted a contract in 1941 to develop it further into a twin seater. On 14 Jan 1942, the first (XR-4) Hoverfly was flown. After a historic flight of over 750 miles (in several stages between 13 and 17 May) and acceptance in May 1942, the US ordered 30 machines (YR-4) in 1943.


  R-4 Hoverfly News


Bristow Commemoration of Helicopter Landing

Bristow Commemoration of Helicopter Landing

26-Sep-16 - Seventy years ago, on September 24, 1946, pioneering helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Alan Bristow Royal Navy, became the first Briton to land a helicopter on the deck of a naval frigate at sea



  Derivatives & Versions of R-4 Hoverfly


ModelYearHistory
HNS-1

1944
1944
S-49 / R-6 / H-6

1945
1945 The Sikorsky S-49 was derived from the R-4 with a new streamlined fuselage and a lengthened and straightened tail boom. Prototypes XR-6 and YR-6 ...
S-54

1948
1948

  List of Operators of R-4 Hoverfly


Years Model Org
1944/48 united kingdom Fleet Air Arm



  Global Distribution of R-4 Hoverfly



1r-4


Construction Numbers


C/N Built as Year History
200 UK KK995








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