The Cierva Autogiro C6D, c 1926.

Model of Cierva Autogiro C.6D, scale 1:10 In an attempt to make flying safer at take-off and landing, the Spaniard Juan de la Cierva developed the 'gyroplane', in which the lift is achieved by a free spinning rotor. The autogiro, predecessor to the true helicopter, was first demonstrated in 1926. After a career devoted to making a reliable gyroplane, Cierva died in a fixed-wing aircraft upon take-off.