Igor Sikorsky’s VS-300 flight sparked a helicopter revolution in 1939
- This was the first successful helicopter
- The VS-300 sparked an air travel revolution in 1939
- It was the work of a Russian-American pioneer
Published on May 31, 2025 at 12:17 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on May 27, 2025 at 11:48 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Igor Sikorsky sparked a helicopter revolution back in 1939 when he flew the VS-300.
The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 was the first viable American helicopter.
Three years later, it was modified into the Sikorsky R-4, which would be the world’s first mass-produced helicopter.
The Russian-American made a huge impact and quite literally took technology to new heights.
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Helicopters are a well-established part of the modern world – even if they cost a lot to own.
We’ve seen some pretty cool ones over the years, including one that can fly without a pilot.
A ton more have recently been uncovered, such as the one in a crate from South America or the military helicopter stored in a barn.
But at the risk of stating the obvious, they weren’t always around.
Most people know that planes owe their origins to the Wright brothers, but what about helicopters?
It all goes back to September 14, 1939.
Igor Sikorsky, a Russian-American aviation pioneer, had form when it came to revolutionary aircraft.
He’d received the highest award at the 1912 Moscow Aviation Exhibition and played a hand in designing the Russky Vityaz, or S-21, the first successful four-engined craft to take flight.
In 1939, he would make history yet again.
The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 took flight in a field, tethered by cables.
It had been in the works for a year at that point.
The initial success wasn’t the end of the VS-300 story, however, as it would later perform a water landing and takeoff in 1941.
This made it the first practical amphibious helicopter.
It also beat the world endurance record set by the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, by staying aloft for 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 26.1 seconds.
A two-seater version of the VS-300 was delivered to the US Army in May 1942.
In 1943, it was retired to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
It has remained there ever since, although it was sent back to the Sikorsky Aircraft plant for restoration in 1985.
Before and after his death in 1972, Sikorsky would receive a lot of accolades for his work, including a place in the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.
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