The history of helicopters in Australia did not begin until after World War II. Although in 1943 the Amy planned to use helicopters for reconnaissance work in New Guinea, it was not until 1948 that the R AAF received its first helicopters, Sikorsky S51s. Civil helicopters followedin 1956, with the import of a Bristol Sycamore for ANA and a Hiller 12c for TAA early in that year. In May 1956 ANA'S helicopter began operating in Tasmania.