Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
The Sikorsky R-4 was the first helicopter built in quantity and the first helicopter placed in operational service by the United States armed forces. Developed from Igor Sikorsky's VS-300 work, it established the now-familiar single main rotor and anti-torque tail rotor arrangement. R-4 variants served in training, utility, rescue, casualty evacuation, and shipboard trials during World War II before more capable helicopters quickly replaced them.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Vought-Sikorsky R-4R-4 HoverflyHoverfly IHNS-1
- Family Name
- Sikorsky R-4
- Full Name
- Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
- Roles
- militaryutilitytrainersearch_and_rescueair_ambulance
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- rotorcraft
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- vtol
- Description
- The Sikorsky R-4 was the first helicopter built in quantity and the first helicopter placed in operational service by the United States armed forces. Developed from Igor Sikorsky's VS-300 work, it established the now-familiar single main rotor and anti-torque tail rotor arrangement. R-4 variants served in training, utility, rescue, casualty evacuation, and shipboard trials during World War II before more capable helicopters quickly replaced them.
- First Flight Year
- 1,942
- Manufacturer
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 29, 2026 at 08:28:40 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 29, 2026 at 08:28:40 UTC