Pavla 1/72 Focke-Achgelis FA-330 Helicopter, 72015

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Pavla 1/72 Focke-Achgelis FA-330 Helicopter, 72015 plastic model kit

1/72 72015 Pavla Focke-Achgelis FA-330 Helicopter

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good++

Limited production model with injection molded parts and photoetched details. Unique German one-man early recon U-Boat/battlefield helicopter. Never started. Factory sealed bag with decals and instructions. The primary use of the FA-330 was by the Kreigsmarine, particularly U-Boats. Before radar, the U-boat visual search capacity was about 10 miles on an absolutely clear day, due to the fact the conning tower elevation was only about 15' above the water when surfaced. To compensate, the U-boat Arm came up with this helicopter idea to achieve additional height for extending the visual distance to the horizon. The FA-330 stayed in a water-tight canister on the deck casing, aft of the AA gun mount wintergarden and when surfaced the "chopper" would be pulled-out, unfolded, manned with a pilot/observer and deployed on a 100-meter cable. While towed at surface speed of the U-boat, the increased height extended the horizon distance 2-3 times, allowing the observer to actually see "over" the horizon. The tether line also had a pair of communication wires so the observer could communicate directly to the U-boat watch officer. On spotting a target, the 330 would be winched-in, folded-up and put back in the canister with the greatest of speed. (Thanks to Mike Hamrick for the additional history)

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