The Sikorsky Hoverfly was the world’s first operational helicopter, first flown in January 1942. It was widely used during the last 16 months of the Second World War in Burma and the Pacific serving with the US Army Air Force, US Navy and US Coastquard on liaison and rescue tasks.
The Hoverfly Mk I was also the first RAF helicopter – operated by The King’s Flight, Helicopter Training Flight at Andover and No. 529 (Radar Calibration) Squadron.
The Hoverfly Mk 1 was not capable of carrying heavy loads and was mainly used by the RAF to prove that rotary wing aircraft could support military operations. During its RAF career the Hoverfly was nicknamed ‘The Flying Eggbeater’.