What was the First Real Helicopter?

French or German?

I favor the Breguet-Dorand while most others claim the Focke-Wulf 61.

I can see how the German machine was proven superior in the long run,
but this does not invalidate the earlier B-D which IMO was the first
practical helicopter in the world.

For a short time it held many records and I believe only the war
prevented it from becoming a much improved design.

Dorand did manage to build another helicopter while under the German
occupation, the G.II model. But this is radically different from the
original B-D. Every source I have on that nmachine says it was never
flown which begs the futher question of why?

Any thoughts?

Ashton Archer III

The first helicopter operational with a military service was the
Flettner Fl-282 Kolibi, with the Kriegsmarine.

all the best -- Dan Ford
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