Britain Beat's World Helicopter Speed Record -- A close-up of the Fairey prototype Gyrodyne on the airfield to-day. On the stub-wing can be seen the air screw that is responsible for most of the forward propulsion. A new world helicopter speed record was established today at White Waltham airfield, near Maidenhead, by Squadron Leader Basil Arkell, a rotor aircraft test pilot, in the fairey Aviation Company's prototype Gyrodyne. Over four runs his average speed was finally given as 124,3 miles per hour. The former world's official record is given as 76.7. m.p.h. made by a German F.W. 61 helicopter, although an unofficial record of 114.6 m.p.h. was set up by an American Sikorsky R5 military two-seater helicopter last year. June 28, 1948. (Photo by Fox Photos).