Avro Cierva C.30A – the British autogiro

In 1934 the Lithuanian Aero Club ordered a Cierva C-30A helicopter from England. Aviation Major Jeronimas Garolis was entrusted to master this extraordinary flying machine, who completed a refresher course in April 1935 at London Air Park Teltheng airfield. Our pilot flew the helicopter, manufactured by “The Cierva Autogiro Company Limited” to Kaunas in May of the same year and on the 23rd it was officially presented at the Aleksotas airfield. The Honorary Chairman of LAK, President of Lithuania Antanas Smetona, the leadership of LAK, government and press representatives, civilian and military pilots participated in the representation ceremony. After introducing the guests to the construction of the helicopter and explaining the principles of flight, J. Garolis later demonstrated it in the air. Some distinguished guests were flown in by helicopter. Since then, the helicopter, marked with the Lithuanian registration LY-LAS, has become an integral attraction of aviation holidays. In 1935 September LAK organized a historic flight of an air train (plane and glider) and our helicopter over the Baltic capitals. September 15 the C-30A was on display at the Tallinn Air Show and received a lot of attention. Because in the interwar period, only Lithuania had a helicopter among the Baltic countries. A visit to the capital of Finland, Helsinki, also attracted a lot of attention. J. Garolis impressed everyone by landing and taking off from the central city stadium in a helicopter together with one local journalist. On the way to home, our helicopter pilots spent a longer time in Riga. Here, at the request of the Latvian AF, the C-30A was demonstrated to local pilots. A considerable number of Air Force and defense pilots tested the helicopter in the air. During the operation of the helicopter in Kaunas, other civilian pilots were trained with it. After the beginning of the occupation of Lithuania, the C-30A helicopter was flown to the airfield of the Aukštagiris Gliding School together with other equipment of the aero club. Later, the Germans transferred it to the Kirtimai airfield and here Luftwaffe pilots learned to fly it themselves. Once, when a strong gust of wind blew, it was broken and thrown into the fire.

Apart from Lithuania, one of our neighbors Poland also had the same type helicopter (and almost in the same camouflage), whose appearance is reproduced by the model in the publication. It can be said, that the magazine contains details of two models - matte and glossy. The second copy is missing only a few black-and-white details, which can easily be reproduced by copying. A simple, but well-detailed and well-designed model for modelers of all experience. Only beginners and modelers with little experience are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, take Your time and it should not be the first more complex model You glue.