Piasecki 16H Pathfinder

{{Distinguish|Piasecki H-16 Transporter}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= 16H Pathfinder

|image= Piasecki 16h1-a.jpg

|caption= Piasecki 16H-1 Pathfinder

|type = Experimental high-speed helicopter

|manufacturer = Piasecki Aircraft

|designer=

|first_flight = 21 February 1962 (16H-1)
15 November 1965 (16H-1A)Robb 2006, pp. 42-43

|introduction =

|retired=

|status =

|primary_user= United States Army

|more_users =

|produced =

|number_built =

|unit cost =

|developed_from =

|variants =

}}

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.

Variants

;Model 16H-1 Pathfinder : one PWC PT6B-2 with one 405 shp turboshaft engine

;Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II : larger version with one {{convert|1250|shp|abbr=on}} T58-GE-8

;Model 16H-1C Pathfinder III : proposed conversion of the 16H-1A with one {{convert|1500|shp|abbr=on}} T58-GE-5 Note: While some sources read as if this variant was completed and flown, Piasecki Aircraft's history site makes no mention of this variant at all.

;Model 16H-3J : nine-seat development, not built.

Specifications (16H-1A)

File:Piasecki 16h-1A-1.jpg

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. 1997. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. LCCN 96-69996.

|prime units? = imp

|crew= two pilots

|capacity= up to six passengers

|length ft=37

|length in=3

|length m=11.4

|span ft=32

|span in=10

|span m=10.0

|rot number=1

|rot dia ft=44

|rot dia in=0

|rot dia m=13.4

|height ft=11

|height in=4

|height m=3.45

|empty weight lb=4,800

|empty weight kg=2,165

|gross weight lb=10,800

|gross weight kg=4,870

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft

|eng1 kw=930

|eng1 hp=1,250

|max speed kmh=370

|max speed mph=230

|cruise speed kmh=280

|cruise speed mph=175

|range km=1,530

|range miles=950

|ceiling m=5,700

|ceiling ft=18,700

}}

See also

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

}}

References

;Notes

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

  • Robb, Raymond L. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060927042104/http://www.vtol.org/pdf/summer06robb.pdf "Hybrid helicopters: Compounding the quest for speed"], Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.

{{refend}}