Köln spent much of the war after Operation Weserübung supporting trials of the Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri intermeshing-rotor helicopter. The aircraft first flew in 1941, entered use in 1942, and was produced only in small numbers. Proposed variants included a single-seat naval reconnaissance model for surface ships and a submarine version that never reached production. Despite its limited range, the concept could have been useful for naval reconnaissance. Köln's trials connect cruiser service with the later importance of shipborne rotary-wing aviation.
Notable Point · 54:24-55:44
Köln and the Fl 282 naval helicopter trials
Köln's wartime testing of the Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri points toward shipborne helicopter reconnaissance despite the type's short range and tiny production run.