Built in 1934, this autogyro has a history in Scandinavia as LN-BAD, 99 of the Norwegian military, and SE-AFI. It represents PH-HHH (c/n 712), also built in 1934 as G-ACWJ, which was bought by Dutch private pilot Jacob Mees in 1934 and ended up in the RAF as AP508.

First time for me to see and photograph an autogiro. Autogiros have rotors instead of wings but unlike helicopters they are not powered so unable to hover. The rotor spins around as the autogiro is driven forward by the propeller and generates lift. Autogiros were used by the RAF to check and/or calibrate radar stations as they were able to fly in very tight circles. Indeed at one point the RAF's Radar Calibration Unit was based at Duxford for some time during WWII. Previously G-ACUU

G-ACUU, seen here marked as HM580, was impressed in 1941 and put into RAF service. Seen in the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

This Avro-built Cierva Autogiro was built in 1934 and imported into Australia, being registered on 14 June 1935. It was used by Engineer Andrew Thyne Reid for private flights, including between his properties in Sydney and Yass. Impressed during the war, it was used in trials for the development of a 'flying jeep' autogyro. Returned to Reid after the war, he continued to use it until 1949. Subsequently donated to the Royal Aero Club of NSW, later purchased by the Powerhouse Museum where it is on display.

Built by Avro at Woodford in 1934 and exported to Argentina as R 340, later LV-CEA. Displayed at the museum's first location at Aeroparque.

Licence-built by Avro at Woodford in 1934. Impressed into the RAF in WW2 but restored to civil use. Seen here about to leave Auster's airfield at Rearsby, piloted by owner Mr G.S. Baker, to return to base at Birmingham's Elmdon airport. Now preserved at Duxford as HM580.

Built in 1935 and previously G-ACWM the aircraft was the 11th C-30A built. It was impressed into RAF service as AP506 (as seen in the fabric section on the wall) and is displayed in an 'as found' condition.

A number of Avro-built Cierva C-30A autogyros were impressed by the RAF in 1941, and used for radar calibration.