The Kriegsmarine were so impressed with the Kolibri and wanted
to evaluate it for submarine spotting duties, ordering an
initial 15 examples to be followed by 30 production models.
Flight testing of the first two prototypes was implemented
through 1941, including repeated take offs and landings from
a pad mounted on the German cruiser
Köln
and
Drache
Minelayer. The helicopter was also intended to be used for
potentially hazardous tasks such as rescuing downed pilots
or inserting special forces behind enemy lines. The helicopter
also proved a useful as an artillery spotting aircraft and
an observation unit was formed in 1944 comprising three Fl
282 and three Fa 223 helicopters.
The Warplanes of the Third Reich.
ISBN-10: 0385057822
German Aircraft of the Second World War.
ISBN-10: 0370000242
Hitler's Luftwaffe.
ISBN-10: 051718771X
For a complete list of
sources
