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OH-23 Raven

By Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiller_UH-12

OH-23 Raven
Hiller OH-23
Role Multipurpose light helicopter
Manufacturer Hiller Aircraft Corporation
Introduced 1948
Primary user United States Army

The Hiller OH-23 Raven was a four-place, light observation helicopter based on the Hiller Model 360. The Model 360 was designated by the company as the UH-12 ("UH" for United Helicopters), which was first flown in 1948.

Development

Stanley Hiller built and flew his first helicopter, the Hiller XH-44, when he was 19. With the help of shipping mogul Henry Kaiser, Hiller established the United Helicopters company in 1946. In 1947, United Helicopters developed the Model 360X, the prototype that would become the basis for the H-23. A year later, on 14 October 1948 the CAA issued a production certificate for the Model 360. United Helicopters began producing the Model 360 as the UH-12. In 1949, the UH-12 became the first helicopter to make a transcontinental flight from California to New York. When Hiller upgraded the engine and the rotor blades, the company designated the new model the UH-12A. It was the UH-12A that would be adopted by both the French and United States militaries.

Operational history

The H-23 Raven performed as a utility, observation, and MedEvac helicopter during the Korean war. Model numbers ranged A through D, F and G. The H-23A had a sloping front windshield. The H-23B was used as a primary helicopter trainer. Beginning with the UH-23C, all later models featured the "Goldfish bowl" canopy similar to the Bell 47, it also featured a unique cyclic control system, through two paddles offset 90 degrees to the main rotor blades. The OH-23 had a speed of 97 mph (84 knots). The Raven had a two-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor. Both the OH-23B and the OH-23C were powered by one Franklin O-335-5D engine.

The OH-23D was a purely military version with a 0-435-23C engine and a more reliable transmission. Most OH-23Ds were replaced by the OH-23G, the most common version of the Raven, with a more powerful Lycoming O-540-9A six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air cooled 305 hp engine. The OH-23G could seat four. The MEDEVAC version carried two external skid-mounted litters or pods. The Raven saw service as a scout during the early part of the Vietnam war before being replaced by the OH-6A Cayuse in early 1968. The Raven could be armed with twin M37C .30 Cal. machine guns on the XM1 armament subsystem or twin M60C 7.62 mm machine guns on the M2 armament subsystem. The XM76 sighting system was used for sighting the guns.

Variants


Early OH-23
Early OH-23

Military

YH-23
One Model UH-12 for US Army evaluation
H-23A
Initial production version with 178 hp Franklin O-335-4 piston engine, 100 built for the US Army and 5 for evaluation by the US Air Force.
H-23B
H-23A with skid/wheel undercarriage and 200 hp 0-335-6 engine (some later re-engined with a 250 hp VO-435-23B), re-designated OH-23A in 1962, 273 built for the US Army and 81 for military export.
H-23C
Model UH-12C with three-seat cabin, one-piece canopy and metal rotor blades, redesignated OH-23C in 1962, 145 built for the US Army.
H-23D
H-23C with 250hp VO-435-23B engine, 348 built for US Army.
H-23E
Model UH-12E, not bought
H-23F
Model UH-12E-4, four-seat model with 25-inch cabin extension and a 305hp VO-540-A1B engine, redesignated OH-23F in 1962, 33 built for US Army.
H-23G
Three-seat dual control version, redesignated OH-23G in 1962, 793 built.
HTE-1
US Navy version of the Model UH-12A with Franklin O-335 engine, two-seater with dual controls, 17 built.
HTE-2
US Navy version with Franklin 6V4-200C033 engine, 35 built
HT Mk 1
Royal Navy designation for former US Navy HTE-2s
HT Mk 2
UH-12Es for Royal Navy.
CH-112 Nomad
Canadian military designation.

Civilian

UH-12A
Original production model for the US Army, powered by a 178hp Franklin O-335-4 piston engine. US Army designation H-23A.
UH-12B
Training version for the US Navy. US Navy designation HTE-1.
UH-12C
Three-seat version, equipped with all-metal rotor blades and one-piece 'goldfish bowl' canopy.

US Army designation H-23C.

UH-12D
Improved version of the H-23C for the US Army. US Army designation H-23D.
UH-12E
Three-seat dual-control version of the H-23D.
UH-12ET
Turbine-powered version of the UH-12E, fitted with an Allison 250 turboshaft engine.
UH-12E3
New three-seat production version.
UH-12E3T
New turbine-powered production version.
UH-12E4
Four-seat civilian version. US Army designation H-23F.
UH-12E4T
Four-seat turbine-powered production version.
UH-12L-4
Lengthed version with wider cabin windows.

Operators

Military operators

Popular Culture

The OH-23 Raven was seen attacking James Bond in the 1963 film From Russia with Love and the 1967 film You Only Live Twice. It has also been seen in numerous other films.

Civilian operators

 United Kingdom

Specifications (H-23)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Payload: lb (kg)
  • Length: (overall) 28 ft 11 in (8.8 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 25 ft 3 in (7.7 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 3 in (2.5 m)
  • Empty weight: 1008 lb (457 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 1850 lb (839 kg)
  • Powerplant:Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 6 cylinder, horizontally opposed, 180 hp (134 kW)

Performance

Armament

See also

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

External links





Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.


Published in July 2009.




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