The Piasecki 16H was a series of compound helicopters produced in the 1960s. The first version of the Pathfinder, the -1 version, first flew in 1962. The similar but larger Pathfinder II, the 16H-1A, was completed in 1965.
| 16H Pathfinder | |
|---|---|
 Piasecki 16H-1 Pathfinder | |
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental high-speed helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Piasecki Aircraft |
| Primary user | United States Army |
| History | |
| First flight | 21 February 1962 (16H-1) 15 November 1965 (16H-1A)[1] |
Variants
edit- Model 16H-1 Pathfinder
- one PWC PT6B-2 with one 405 shp turboshaft engine
- Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II
- larger version with one 1,250 shp (930 kW) T58-GE-8
- Model 16H-1C Pathfinder III
- proposed conversion of the 16H-1A with one 1,500 shp (1,100 kW) T58-GE-5 [2]
- Model 16H-3J
- nine-seat development, not built.
Specifications (16H-1A)
edit
Data from U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: two pilots
- Capacity: up to six passengers
- Length: 37 ft 3 in (11.4 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10.0 m)
- Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m)
- Empty weight: 4,800 lb (2,165 kg)
- Gross weight: 10,800 lb (4,870 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft , 1,250 hp (930 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 44 ft 0 in (13.4 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn)
- Cruise speed: 175 mph (280 km/h, 152 kn)
- Range: 950 mi (1,530 km, 830 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 18,700 ft (5,700 m)
See also
editAircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
edit- Notes
- Bibliography
- Robb, Raymond L. "Hybrid helicopters: Compounding the quest for speed", Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.
External links
edit- Model 16H-1 Pathfinder Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- Model 16H-3 Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine