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Cierva C.4 Autogyro Replica Joins FIO Collection at Cuatro Vientos
On April 22, the Cierva C.4 autogyro replica entered the collection of the Infante de Orleans Foundation at Cuatro Vientos. Built to mark the centenary of Juan de la Cierva’s pioneering 1923 flight, the aircraft will now be displayed—and potentially flown—during the Foundation’s monthly airshow events.
The Cierva C.4 in front of the foundation's hangar in Getafe, Spain. (Image credit: Andrés Monzón)
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On April 22, the replica of the Cierva C.4 autogyro officially joined the collection of the Infante de Orleans Foundation (FIO) following its recent appearance at RACE Fest. The aircraft has been placed on long-term loan to the Foundation by the ULM Getafe Club, with the agreement signed by Club president Don Bernardino Rodríguez and FIO president Don Carlos Valle.
(Image credit: Andrés Monzón)
Constructed by members of the Getafe-based ultralight community to mark the centenary of Juan de la Cierva’s pioneering work, the replica represents the first autogyro to achieve sustained, controlled flight in 1923. The original Cierva C.4 resolved the critical issue of dissymmetry of lift through its articulated rotor system, establishing the foundation for modern rotary-wing aviation.
Juan de la Cierva with one of the later autogiros he and his company developed through the 1920s and 1930s. (Image credit: ames Kightly Collection)
The project required more than a thousand hours of work and was completed near the historic site of the original flights at Getafe. While externally faithful to the 1923 design, the replica incorporates modern materials and engineering refinements, including an updated rotor system and powerplant, to ensure safe operation.
(Image credit: Andrés Monzón)
The aircraft first flew on March 29, 2023, at Ocaña—just over one hundred years after the original C.4’s successful flight. Following an earlier accident, the autogyro was rebuilt by the Centenario del Autogiro team and returned to the air in September 2024, now powered by a 100-horsepower engine.
The replica of the Cierva C.4 lifts off. (Image credit: Jose Manuel Gil García)
Now part of the FIO collection, the C.4 replica will be accessible to the public during the Foundation’s monthly flying displays, held on the first Sunday of each month, except January and August. Visitors to Cuatro Vientos will be able to view the aircraft on static display in the “corralillo,” with the prospect of seeing it participate in flight demonstrations in the near future. Many thanks to José Manuel Gil, Aerospace Engineer, light aircraft pilot, blogger, and podcaster at https://blog.sandglasspatrol.com. Please follow José’s blog for more details in Spanish.
Photo via Infante de Orleans Foundation
Kevin Wilkins is a veteran journalist who has spent more than 30 years working for a major British broadcaster. His passion for aviation began at a young age, inspired by his father, who flew the English Electric Lightning. A long career in mainstream news, politics, and journalism kept him largely away from his early interest in aviation history. As he approaches retirement, Kevin is increasingly returning to that passion and becoming more involved with Vintage Aviation News.
