Acknowledgements

The author is indebted to the many people and organizations who have found time to help in the preparation of this book by offering information, photographs, constructive criticism or simply encouragement. High on the list must come my publishers, Elsevier. Ray Prouty’s columns in Rotor and Wing have long been an inspiration that complex subjects can be brought to a wide audience.

Much material was obtained from the International Helicopter Museum in Weston- super-Mare, UK, The Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, UK, The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, The Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives in Stratford, Connecticut, The Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California and the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in Brandywine, Pennsylvania. The kindness and helpfulness of the staff of all of these was exceptional and deeply appreciated.

The universally positive attitude of the manufacturers has been a great delight. AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing Helicopter, Kaman Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky must all be mentioned here.

Reg Austin did a superb job of checking my words for technical accuracy. Mikael Reichel advised on the pedagogical aspects of the text and many of my explanations are the better for that. I would not have obtained all of the necessary photographs and permissions without the assistance of Liza Marshall. I am indebted to Steve Coates for allowing me access to his collection of wartime German helicopter material.

Individuals who have helped include Fred Ballam, Oliver Dearden, Margaret Denley, George Done, David Gibbings, Nick Gribble, Bruce Holben, Russell H. Jones, Bill Kidd, Dan Libertino, Bo Maggs, Tim Price, Renee Renaud, Trevor Scantlebury, Eric Schulzinger, Tom Shenton, Jonathan Simpson, Jay P. Spenser, David Steel, North E. West and Katharine Williams.