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TOPEKA REGIONAL AIRPORT @ FORBES FIELD, TOPEKA, KANSAS
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Hiller OH-23A Raven

Hiller OH-23A Raven

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 civilian Model 360/UH-12. In 1949, the UH-12 became the first helicopter to make a transcontinental flight from California to New York.

The Hiller OH-23 Raven was a three-place, military light observation helicopter based on the Hiller civilian Model 360/UH-12, first flown in 1948. The OH-23 Raven performed as a utility, observation, and MedEvac helicopter during the Korean War. 

Model numbers ranged A through D, F and G. The OH-23A had a sloping front windshield. The Raven used Hiller's "Rotor-Matic" cyclic control system, with two small servo rotor paddles offset 90 degrees to the main rotor blades. The paddles were attached to the control column, so that movement of the column would cause the pitch of the servo paddles to change, loading the main rotor blade so that the desired cyclic changes to the rotor occurred. The OH-23 had a top speed of 97 mph (84 knots) with a two-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor. 

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 Hughes OH-6A Cayuse in early 1968. 

Initial production version with 178 hp (133 kW) Franklin O-335-4 piston engine and two-seat cockpit, 100 built for the U.S. Army and 5 for evaluation by the U.S. Air Force.

This model OH-23A is owned by the Combat Air Museum and was restored over the last 10 years. We have not been able to find a replacement front bottom plexiglass windshield for this model.

Early stages in the Hiller restoration
Hiller OH-23A Raven
Hiller OH-23A Raven
Hiller Cockpit view
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