Gyrodyne Company of America
Encyclopedia
The Gyrodyne Company of America was founded in 1946 by Peter J. Papadakos (26 July 1914 –26 May 1992), using the assets he bought from the bankrupt Bendix Helicopter Company that was developing a one-man synchronized co-axial rotor helicopter.
Initially, the company pursued the development of the co-axial system at facilities at Fitzmaurice Field at Massapequa, New York
, on Long Island. On 1 July 1951 Mr. Papadakos acquired property, originally known as "Flowerfield," at St. James, New York
. It was at this location that he continued development of the co-axial rotor helicopter concept. Having successfully overcome control problems with the concept, the company first built the XRON-1 Rotorcycle that became the basis for the Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH), first called the DSN-1 before re-designation as the QH-50A. This development began in the mid-1950s and, with production, continued until the late 1960s, through a number of improved models.
The DASH was employed on destroyer-sized ships through the 1960s and into the 1970s until it was replaced by the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System
(LAMPS) based helicopters, initially the SH-2 Seasprite
.
Subsequently, the company engaged in various activities using the QH-50 design and concepts. Following Papadakos' death, in 1999 all QH-50 assets of the company were placed in the care of Aviodyne U.S.A. of Los Angeles, California
. Gyrodyne Company of America converted its former manufacturing facilities to rental properties, and its current business is property rental.
Initially, the company pursued the development of the co-axial system at facilities at Fitzmaurice Field at Massapequa, New York
Massapequa, New York
Massapequa is a hamlet located in the suburban Nassau County, New York. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total population of 21,685.Massapequa is located on the South Shore of Long Island....
, on Long Island. On 1 July 1951 Mr. Papadakos acquired property, originally known as "Flowerfield," at St. James, New York
St. James, New York
St. James is a census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 13,268 at the 2000 census. St. James is part of the Town of Smithtown, New York, located on the North Shore of Long Island. The zip code is 11780....
. It was at this location that he continued development of the co-axial rotor helicopter concept. Having successfully overcome control problems with the concept, the company first built the XRON-1 Rotorcycle that became the basis for the Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH), first called the DSN-1 before re-designation as the QH-50A. This development began in the mid-1950s and, with production, continued until the late 1960s, through a number of improved models.
The DASH was employed on destroyer-sized ships through the 1960s and into the 1970s until it was replaced by the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System
Light airborne multi-purpose system
Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System is the United States Navy's program that developed manned helicopters that assist the surface fleet in anti-submarine warfare.*SH-2 Seasprite *SH-60 Seahawk...
(LAMPS) based helicopters, initially the SH-2 Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
.
Subsequently, the company engaged in various activities using the QH-50 design and concepts. Following Papadakos' death, in 1999 all QH-50 assets of the company were placed in the care of Aviodyne U.S.A. of Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. Gyrodyne Company of America converted its former manufacturing facilities to rental properties, and its current business is property rental.