In the world of helicopters, Stanley Hiller, Jr., has been considered a “boy genius.” At the age of 16, he produced the first working helicopter which featured a coaxial rotor system. At the age of 19, he sold the U.S. Army on testing an example of his homebuilt helicopter, the XH-44.
The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, has about 100 aviation and space vehicles on display. Shown below are some Hiller helicopters which are on display.
Hiller YH-32 Hornet
According to the display:
“Hiller foresaw the use of helicopters as ‘flying cranes,’ but realized that they needed to be simple and lightweight in order to have any hope of lifting heavy loads. To do this, he created a design using ramjet engines on the ends of the rotor blade to eliminate the torque in the main rotor and get rid of the need for a tail rotor and heavy transmission that existed on most helicopters.”
While Hiller had intended the Hornet for the civilian market, the outbreak of the Korean War changed the focus purchased examples of it for testing under the designation YH-32. While the ram jets on the ends of the rotor blades reduced weight, they resulted in high fuel consumption—a total flying range of only 28 miles. They were also very noisy and could be heard for many miles. Finally, when flown at night, there were long flames that shot out of the exhaust, often resulting in UFO reports during testing. The YH-32 had a maximum speed of 80 mph and a range of 28 miles.
Hiller UH-12ES Raven
The Hiller UH-12E is an industrial workhorse. According to the display:
“They are superior vehicles for work in agriculture, construction, forestry and petroleum explorations. They can cost effectively distribute seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, and lift lumber and building materials.”
Hiller OH-23B Raven
This is the United States Army’s version of the UH-12. According to the display:
“Serving during the Korean War, the Army used the H-23 for battlefield observation and evacuation of wounded soldiers. In that later role, it could carry two casualties on stretchers mounted on either side.”
The OH-23 has a cruising speed of 82 mph, a top speed of 95 mph, and a range of 197 miles.
Hiller 1031 Flying Platform (Replica)
Development of the Flying Platform began in 1953 and the craft first flew in 1955. It was a nimble, stable craft. Only six Flying Platforms were built. It has a top speed of 16 mph.
Hiller XROE-1 Rotorcyle
During the Korean War, the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics requested proposals to design and build a one-mad helicopter to be used by the Marines. In 1954, Hiller won with the Model 1033 Rotorcycle, an innovative, collapsible helicopter. Give the military designation XROE-1, two prototypes were built. It was first flow in 1957. A total of 12 were built before testing was cancelled. This aircraft has a top speed of 70 mph, a cruising speed of 52 mph, and a range of 30 miles.
According to the display:
“Small enough to fit into a pod slung under an aircraft and drop by parachute, the Rotorcycle featured rapid assembly with no tools, enabling a downed pilot to escape and evade an enemy.”
More Airplane Photo Tours
Yanks Air Museum: Helicopters (Photo Diary)
Planes of Fame: German Aircraft (Photo Diary)
Evergreen Aviation: Some Unusual Helicopters (Photo diary)
Evergreen Aviation: Homebuilt Airplanes (photo diary)
WAAAM: Piper Airplanes (Photo Diary
WAAAM: Aeronca Airplanes (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Olympic Flight Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Biplanes (Photo Diary)