Back to Resources

Fairey Rotodyne Compound Gyroplane VTOL Airliner Family

The Fairey Rotodyne was a British compound gyroplane that combined helicopter-style vertical lift with airplane-like forward propulsion. Its rotor-tip pressure jets powered vertical takeoffs, landings and hovering, while wing-mounted turboprops drove propellers in forward flight. The sole demonstrator prototype proved the concept, set a convertiplane speed record, and demonstrated the possibility of city-centre VTOL air travel before the programme was cancelled in 1962.

Follow this vehicle family

Alerts for directly linked future launches and major activity.

Identity

Aliases
RotodyneFairey Rotodyne YRotodyne Y
Family Name
Fairey Rotodyne
Full Name
Fairey Rotodyne Compound Gyroplane VTOL Airliner Family
Roles
airlinermilitaryexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
Status
canceled
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
rotorcraft
Operating Modes
land
Takeoff Landing Capabilities
vtol
Description
The Fairey Rotodyne was a British compound gyroplane that combined helicopter-style vertical lift with airplane-like forward propulsion. Its rotor-tip pressure jets powered vertical takeoffs, landings and hovering, while wing-mounted turboprops drove propellers in forward flight. The sole demonstrator prototype proved the concept, set a convertiplane speed record, and demonstrated the possibility of city-centre VTOL air travel before the programme was cancelled in 1962.
First Flight Year
1,957

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 7, 2026 at 21:50:27 UTC
Updated Time
August 7, 2026 at 21:50:27 UTC