Piasecki PV-2

History

The World War II era (1939-1945) saw major advances in turbojets and helicopter flying - both of which had a major impact on warfare for the remainder of the 20th century. For the latter, the United States is working with other world powers to develop a viable rotorcraft system.

His first helicopter was the Sikorsky "VS-300", which was airborne by cable in 1939 and achieved a true solo flight the following year. This achievement was joined in 1943 by Piasecki's "PV-2" technology demonstrator, a helicopter design destined to take to the skies of the United States.

The aircraft is in an extremely simplified form, containing the basic components required, including a two-seat window cockpit, engines and support systems. The cockpit is located at the front of the oddly shaped fuselage, which includes a fixed wheeled landing gear and an overhead three-blade balanced main rotor system.

The rotors were powered by a 90-horsepower Franklin 4AC-199 4-cylinder horizontal piston engine, an arrangement that also drove a small two-blade rigid tail rotor unit in the tail (pull-twist pitch system). use).

The dimensions of the complete vehicle include a barrel length of 21.5 feet and a rotor diameter of 24.10 feet. Performance specifications for the PV-2 include a top speed of 100 miles per hour and a range of up to 150 miles.

Like other early rotorcraft, the Piasecki PV-2 played an important role in advancing U.S. rotorcraft technology, allowing the country to maintain its leadership in the field for decades to comea dominance that remains Credit to Sikorsky and Bell. Piasecki gained more fame through his tandem rotor development starting with the transport-oriented "HRP" in 1945 - 28 were introduced in 1947.

The only ever built PV-2 flew for the first time on April 11, 1943, and after completing its flight time, it ended up on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center outside Washington, D.C., and can be seen here today.

Specification

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Performance

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