Fairey Gyrodyne 3-Blade Helicopter (Alvis Leonides 500 H.P. Radial Engine) -- The variable pitch propeller on the right stub wing counteracts torque and gives forward thrust. First stage of a range of constructor's experimental trial flights has now been successfully concluded, with the Fairey Gyrodyne Helicopter, first of its kind in the world.The Gyrodyne made its first airborne "hop" on 7th December, 1947, and since then stage by stage progress has been continual and successful. Since the Gyrodyne embodies entirely new ideas in rotating wing flight and different controls from any other helicopter the experimental test pilot, Squadron Leader Basil Arkell, has had the unique distinction of being at once his own chief instructor arid new pupil part of his work consisted in the compilation of a Piloting Manual whilst he was familiarising himself with the controls in flight. April 1, 1948.