Borgward Kolibri

The Borgward BFK-1 Kolibri, or Borgward-Focke BFK-1 Kolibri, was a German three-seated utility helicopter built by Borgward, designed by Heinrich Focke and was the first German helicopter after World War II. The helicopter first flew on 8 July 1958 in Bremen, piloted by Ewald Rohlfs.

Design and development

Two prototypes were built; they had steel tubing fuselages, covered with metal and fabric and v-tails with tail rotors at their tips. The plywood covered main rotors had three blades with steel tubing spars. The helicopter had a six-cylinder air-cooled Lycoming VO-435-A1B engine, producing 260 hp. The fuel tank was capable of holding 180L. The helicopter could be used for spraying in agriculture, and could carry up to 300 lbs. Development ended after the two prototypes, as Borgward went bankrupt shortly after in 1961.