Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri was a real helicopter developed in Germany during World War II. It was designed by Anton Flettner and was one of the first practical military helicopters.
Development Timeline:
Early 1940s: Development began as an improvement over Flettner’s earlier helicopter, the Fl 265.
1941: The first prototype flew. It used a unique intermeshing rotor system (synchropter design), which made it stable without needing a tail rotor.
1942–1943: The Luftwaffe tested it for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and convoy protection. Some were used in the Mediterranean and on ships.
1944–1945: Around 24 were built, but mass production never happened due to Allied bombing raids on Flettner’s factory.
It was ahead of its time, but Germany’s defeat stopped its development. The design influenced later helicopters after the war, including some American and Soviet models.
Would It Fit in a Game Like Enlisted?
Historical Accuracy – It was a real, functioning helicopter used by Germany in WWII.
Unique Gameplay – As a small, agile recon aircraft, it could be used for spotting enemies, calling in artillery, or even light strafing runs.
Balance Considerations – It wasn’t armed with heavy weapons, so it would need to be balanced against planes and AA defenses.
It could work as a recon support vehicle rather than a direct combat chopper. It might be best suited for a special event, limited mode, or as a unique vehicle unlock rather than a regular part of the game.
Potential Armament (Theoretical)
Some sources suggest it could have been fitted with an MG 42 or MG 15 machine gun for self-defense, but there’s no confirmed record of it being used in combat like that.
The main focus was spotting for U-boats, convoys, and artillery, not direct fighting.
So in a game, if it were added, it would likely be a recon/support vehicle rather than a gunship. Maybe with the ability to mark enemies or call in artillery, kind of like a scout plane. Also could have a small bomb payload.
