Britain Beats World's Helicopter Speed Record -- The Gyrodyne flashes past the camera at a speed of 133.1 mph - its second run over the marked course - when setting up the world's record at White Waltham Airport today. A new world helicopter speed record was established today at White Waltham airfield, near Maidenhead, by squadron Leader Basil Arkell, a rotor aircraft test pilot, in the Fairey Aviation company's prototype Gyrodyne. over four runs, his average speed was finally given as 124.3 miles per hour. The former world's official record is given as 76.7 mph made by a German FW 61 helicopter, although an unofficial record of 114.6 mph was set up by an American Sikorsky R.5 military two-seat helicopter last year. June 28, 1948. (Photo by Fox Photos).