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TOPPING MODELS PIASECKI H-21B USAF HELICOPTER
Early detection of enemy (read Russian) bombers approaching the U.S. was of prime consideration during the Cold War days of the 1950s and early 60s; varied means of accomplishing early warning perimeter defense were constructed or employed. Air breathing bombers were the perceived threat in the 1950s before the ICBMs emerged as the primary nuclear-carrying weapon. Radar installations along the Canadian border, the Pintree Line, were in place by 1954 and the Arctic fence of radar installations, the Mid-Canada Line and the DEW Line, were being built in that icy expanse. Civilian volunteer spotters, the Ground Observer Corps, were on duty at posts across the U.S. at strategic locations, watching the skies, to fill in gaps in the radar coverage. The northern border wasn't the only route that enemy bombers might take. The high priority targets inside the U.S. northeastern industrial complex - within easy striking distance of the Atlantic coast - made the stakes involved that area of great concern. The advanced radar early warning network for the Atlantic coast consisted of ground-based radar, Navy radar picket ships, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft such as the Lockheed WV-2 (EC-121) and the Grumman WF-2, and the sea-based radar platforms called Texas Towers. These resembled oil-drilling rigs and were placed on shoals about 100 miles off the northeast coast of the United States. The Air Force originally proposed five towers, but only three were built. The first, Texas Tower Two (TT-2), on May 7, 1956, achieved the status of a limited operationally ready aircraft control and warning station as it began functioning approximately 125 miles east of Chatham, Massachusetts. It rose about 65 feet above the sea and was 150 feet from the seabed.
In conjunction with AEW&C aircraft and Navy picket ships, Texas Towers would contribute to extending contiguous east-coast radar coverage some 300 to 500 miles seaward. In terms of the air threat of the 1950’s, this meant a gain of at least 30 extra minutes warning time of an oncoming bomber attack. In January 1961, Texas Tower #4 collapsed during a storm resulting in fourteen airmen and fourteen civilian workers being killed. Texas Towers #2 and #3 were decommissioned shortly afterwards. For "A History of Texas Towers in Air Defense 1952-1964" article, Click here.
Methods for transportation and supply of the towers had to be worked out. Two Piasecki (Vertol) H-21B helicopters per tower were authorized by USAF, four of which were based at Otis AFB (the 4604th Support Squadron) and two at Suffolk County AFB. The twin-rotor H-21B had a theoretical capacity for carrying 10 passengers or 2,000 pounds of freight. When equipped with necessary flotation and survival gear, however, the H-21B’s capacity was cut to eight persons or 1,550 pounds of freight. Other cargo was furnished periodically by ship. Fuel, food and lubricants,were stocked to provide at least a 30-day reserve; spare parts were on hand for operational equipment to last 45 days. The photo below is from a newspaper - a H-21B is shown approaching the landing area on Texas Tower 2; the size and relative scale of the platform is evident in this scene.
The Topping model of the USAF H-21B being offered here is a commemorative model which celebrated a pilot(s) who made 1000 TEXAS TOWER TRIPS associated with the 4604th Support Squadron. The letter from Don Abbott, quoted below, indicates that Vertol (formerly Piasecki) had these models specially made for presentation to Texas Tower pilots who completed 1000 trips - couldn't have been very many. The number produced would have been very low, casting this model into the category of "very scarce."
email from Don Abbott:
Dear Steve, Yes I do have a memory of the Boeing Vertol Co., giving a pilot or two an H-21 model for their 1000 trips to USAF Texas Towers 2,3 and #4 "Old Shaky" that went under the waves on 15 Jan 61 killing 28 men and only finding two bodies. The Pilot, as a matter of fact, sent the model given to him, to me for the archives. I do have it packed away in storage. It is about 18" long if I recall and is very nice. I used to refuel those very "banana boats" all the time when I was an Airman at Otis AFB in Falmouth, MA from 57-61. If I can be of any further help let me know. But that is a truthful happening and for that exact amount of trips, 1000. Not something I would forget, an amazing number don't you think?
Warm Regards,
Don Abbott, President,
Director, Public Relations and Media
The USAF Texas Tower Association Web Site
208 Bryant St., Apt. # 6
Malden, MA 02148-4244-39
Tel. 781.324.5158..Cell.....781.632.2684
Donald@TexasTower.com
Visit us at WWW.TexasTower.Org (see link to site above)
It is unknown whether the tail number of "34357" can be traced to the 4604th - however, the number 53-4357 is a H-21B, manufacturer's serial number B.107. This particular helicopter eventually woundup on the Canadian registry as CF-SUU. The USAF H-21B version (equivalent to the Army's H-21C) first flew in November 1955. The USAF designation changed to CH-21B and then HH-21B in 1962 as most military aircraft were redesignated.
This model does not have the "yoke" type main landing gear as used on early H-21s and the first Topping models, but has the stub-axle style associated with the "B" and the "C". Some examples of Topping H-21 models seen in museums are shown below. The first is a model exhibited at the Helicopter Foundation International collection in Alexandria, Virginia. The second photo is a Navy version (missing one fin) photographed at the NAS Patuxent River Test Pilot School.
This model, in 1:48 scale, of the USAF H-21B, 1000 TEXAS TOWER TRIPS, is complete and intact. There is no stand although all of the models were originally equipped with Topping stands as there are two, standard mounting holes in the bottom. Since the model rests on the gear, many, if not most, recipients must have discarded the unneeded mounts. Note that the decals are in very good condition.
This unusual Topping model of the USAF Piasecki H-21B twin-rotor helicopter is priced at $1300.00.
A sidebar to the H-21 model. The Army received the H-21C (equivalent to the "B") as a cargo and personnel transport with the name "Shawnee". The first deliveries to the Army were in September 1954 with production continuing until March 1959. I was working as a helicopter mechanic with the U.S. Army Aviation Service Test Board in 1954 and 1955 and we received some of the first production H-21Cs for operational testing; I was assigned to serial number 51-15888, tail number 115888, the eighth built, and I recall us having 115881 also which I believe was the one we picked up at Edwards AFB in 1955. The Air Force did all engineering flight testing for the Army and when they completed tests on the H-21C version (in preparation for their USAF H-21B version ordered after the "C"), a small group of us from the Fort Rucker Test Board went to Edwards to take over the ship and perform some high altitude and desert tests before flying back to Rucker. Arriving at Edwards, complete with papers and "secret" clearances, we promptly discovered that the USAF's Army H-21C was in terrible condition and unairworthy. Much to their dislike and consternation, we hung around the air base for several days while we performed an inspection and changed the Wright 1820 engine - the desert flying had eaten up the cylinders and bearings to the point that the 19-gallon oil tank wouldn't sustain a single flight! Needless to say, there was some exciting experimental jet activity going on at Edwards at that time and we GIs were in no hurry to leave as we had a front line seat on the test ramp. We spent a few weeks at an Apple Valley dude ranch, parking the helicopter in the desert, and refueling at George AFB. Each day we flew several sorties into the White Bear region and did a few exciting running takeoffs at White Bear Lake. We made an uneventful (mostly), but rather warm and humid, flight back to Rucker, taking a pretty straight course from San Antonio across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and into Alabama. A late evening thunderstorm threw us off course during a night flight leg and we made an "off-airport" landing in a drenched high school football stadium in Mississippi (still lit up following a game); the locals fed us and I wound up spending the night RON in a friendly funeral parlor. One of the Board's test H-21s made the first non-stop flight across the U.S. in August, 1956; it took 37 hours and refueling by a fixed wing.
The scene shown below depicts an actual activity at Fort Rucker as we performed operational maintenance on 115888 under "field" conditions; that's me sitting on my toolbox trying to figure out how to hook up the aft transmission. Entitled "Field Expedient - 1955". Can you identify the pickup? During our service testing, we changed all dynamic components every 120 hours.
Appropriate to the above scene, and in keeping with the H-21 model, a manual is also offered to allow you to maintain and operate your new H-21. Bound in two official "ARMY AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PUBLICATIONS" binders, manuals TM 55-1520-205-20, "Organizational Maintenance Manual, H-21C Helicopter", dated October 1961, and TM 55-1520-105-10, "Operator's Manual, H-21 Helicopter", dated August 1961, can be yours for $300.00. The picture below is from the -20 and shows the hair-raising procedure for tracking the rotor blades - imagine trying to hold that long pole with it's flag and "gently" introducing it into the rotor plane to get tip markings as it waves around in the rotor wash. These two manuals are in fine condition. Particularly note that the H-21 pictured being tracked has the yoke style gear as used on the model - not appropriate for the H-21C.
The Army's H-21Cs were the first U.S. cargo/transport helicopters to be operated in Vietnam and they took a beating early in the war. Though little known, the H-21s conducted extensive Vietnam combat missions in early 1962, carrying Vietanmese troops and U.S. Rangers into areas such as Hung My. H-21s were operated by the 8th Transportation Company, from Qui Nhon, the 93rd Transportation Company serving I Corps, and the 57th Transportation Company serving the southern III Corps area along the Mekong River Delta. The H-21s frequently operated in mountainous jungles - very hazardous flying under hot and humid conditions. The effectiveness of the H-21 in Vietnam is generally discounted, yet they were the first and helped develop the tactics which followed. The first media reports of action, in February 1962, told of the airlifting of Vietnamese troops by the H-21s. The first in-flight Purple Hearts and the first in-flight combat deaths occurred in the H-21. A number currently are exhibited in museums and at least one H-21C is flying as a "warbird" (see next paragraph).
The above photo is of a H-21B, the only flying, operational example. This helicopter belongs to Classic Rotors, the Rare and Vintage Rotorcraft Museum, located on the Ramona Airport near San Diego (www.rotor.org). I flew on this helo on September 16, 2004 on an evening ferry flight from Camarillo Airport to Point Mugu NAS on an airshow positioning flight piloted by Classic Rotors pilots Mark DiCiero and Ed Henretta with crewman Dale Sinclair - the first time I've had a ride in a H-21 in nearly fifty years! Photo shows wash-rack activity prior to run-up and takeoff at sunset; a truly exhilirating experience listening to that 1820 at 45" along with the myriad clatterings and screamings of gear boxes, drive trains and six rotor blades. It triggered a lot of memories (mostly pleasant) of the Army days with the Rucker Test Board. Thanks to all the gang at Classic Rotors. More pics at album link below.
A few other CollectAir photos of existing USAF H-21Bs.
MANUFACTURER'S DISPLAY MODEL OF THE LOCKHEED AH-56A
A Lockheed, 1:48 scale display model of the Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne attack helicopter. The Lockheed AH-56A was designed to meet the U.S. Army's requirement for the Advance Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS). The rigid rotor system used on the AH-56A was a development from an earlier Lockheed project, the 1962/63 XH-51A research helicopter - two ships were built, 161262 and 161263. Starting as a three-blade machine, 1262 was converted during the program to a four blade rotor. Ship 1263 was later modified to a compound configuration with a four blade rotor, a small wing and an auxiliary jet engine. A third helicopter, a three blade ship, XH-51N, was built for NASA Langley. These tests were performed during 1964. The original three blade helicopter was named the "Aerogyro" but little use made of this name. Two machines were demonstrated commercially in 1966 as the 4-bladed Lockheed 286 - I had the opportunity to get a ride in the 286, piloted by "Fish" Salmon, Lockheed test pilot. The rotor system was designed by Irv Culver over an eight year period; Culver was a Lockheed advanced technology advisor.
Ship 1262 with a four-blade rotor demonstrated landings and takeoffs from a U.S. Navy destroyer. Photo from a Lockheed-California advertisement in the April 19, 1965 issue of "Aviation Week" which featured a photo of the FH-1100 on the cover.
Lockheed rolled-out the first Cheyenne prototype on May 3, 1967. The Cheyenne featured a revolutionary compound helicopter configuration as well as a gyro-controlled rigid-rotor and three-bladed pusher tail propeller as well as a four-bladed anti-torque rotor. It had small wings attached to the side of the fuselage that could off-load the rotor during high speed flight.
The rigid-rotor Cheyenne, with a crew of two, featured a XM112 swiveling gunner's station linked to rotating belly and nose turrets, and a laser range-finder tied to a fire control computer. It was armed with an XM52 30mm automatic gun in the belly turret and a XM51 40mm grenade launcher or a XM53 7.62mm Gatling machine gun in the chin-turret, TOWs, and XM200 2.75 inch rocket launchers. Ten prototypes were completed before the program was terminated August 9, 1972 due to delayed development, rising costs, and the appearance of two competitive company-funded initiatives by Sikorsky and Bell. The Cheyenne at first proved highly capable and in December 1967 the Army ordered a production batch of 375 Cheyennes. During further flight testing however there were three crashes. The helicopter proved unstable at high speeds. After the third crash in 1969, when the main rotor collided with the fuselage, the production order was delayed. Further design modifications took place and by 1972 most of the Cheyennes' faults were cured but the program was cancelled due to budgetary problems - or, as some claim, there was a roles and missions dispute between the Army and the USAF because the compound-design of the Cheyenne gave it a speed and range which threatened the USAF air support role. As a result, no compound helicopter has since been incorporated into the defense system although the current Piasecki Speedhawk compound version of the H-60 airframe, yet to be funded and fly, is a promising variable thrust ducted propeller (VTDP)design which offers high speed.
The Army chose a smaller, more agile Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) with a less complicated fire control and navigation system. The helicopter's mission would eventually be assumed by the Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) AH-64 Series Apache attack helicopter. However, the Cheyenne was the most advanced helicopter concept of its day and hasn't been eclipsed.
At some point in negotiations with the Defense Department, Lockheed must have presented a proposal for the Cheyenne to be considered by the Navy Department and by the Air Force. The model being offered here is an unusual Navy version of the Cheyenne; it has the exact configuration as the Army version (a model sold here previously) but with a very dark blue finish and an addition of "NAVY" on the tailboom. This exquisite and rarely offered model features an all-metal, very detailed main rotor and a resin fuselage, mounted on a unique base. The photos below show the "Navy Cheyenne" model in detail.
The photo below is a Lockheed promotional litho showing a painting of the Cheyenne prior to its development.
The final, armed version of the Cheyenne is shown below; this is essentially the same configuration as this model, The model is estimated to be from about 1969/70.
This model is in pristine condition, "as new" out of the box; the original box, marked "AH-56A" with a handwritten "Navy," with inserts, comes with the model. I do not know who manufactured this model.
The price of this excellent "Navy Cheyenne" model is $1300.00 .
The Edwrds AFB Museum has a model of the "Air Force Cheyenne" which is the same basic model painted silver with Air Force markings. See photo below.
The Lockheed XH-51 program was a development of the CL-475 rigid-rotor prototype which flew in 1959 and which was designed by Irv Culver.
Of interest to modelers is the fact that a radio-controlled model of this helicopter was flown in 1958, making it one of the very first successful model helicopters, if not the first. The model weighed 11 pounds with a 5-ft. diameter main rotor, 2-blade and constant 2 1/2" chord. A McCoy 60 drove the main rotor at 1012 rpm. The radio was a 8-channel Citizenship reed outfit with 6 channels being used - two for pitch, two for roll and two for throttle. Although not shown in the photo below, a large "gyro" ring was added later under the rotor on the model (see photo above). The model was flown extensively at Sepulveda Basin. If you remember seeing this model flying at the Basin, please let me know.
BELL MODEL 301, ARMY/NASA XV-15 TILT ROTOR
In May 1973 the Army's Air Mobility Research and Development Laboratory and NASA's Ames Research Center jointly awarded Bell Helicopter a contract for the construction and testing of two twin-engined, tilting-rotor VTOL research aircraft. Bell had long been a leader in tilt-rotor technology and the Model 301 design was developed in response to the Army/NASA requirement and it drew heavily on knowledge gained from the earlier XV-3 convertiplane. The first XV-15, #702, made its maiden hovering flight in May 1977, and was joined by the second example, #703, in April 1979.
Like the earlier XV-3, the XV-15 derived both its vertical lift and forward propulsion from two wingtip-mounted tilting rotors, each with a rotor diameter of 25' 0". These were pointed directly upward for vertical takeoff and landing, and rotated to the horizontal position for forward flight. In the XV-3, however, both rotors were driven by a single piston engine mounted in the aircraft's central fuselage, whereas the XV-15's two Lycoming T53 powerplants were wingtip-mounted and each entire engine and rotor assembly tilted as a unit. The XV-15's two crew members sat side-by-side in a fully enclosed cockpit, and up to nine passengers could be accomodated in the rear cabin. The fuselage and tail assembly were constructed by Rockwell International's Tulsa Division and followed standard general aviation design features.
The Army conducted extensive testing of the XV-15 in conjunction with NASA, and evaluated the aircraft's vulnerability to ground fire and its suitability for use as an electronic warfare platform. The Navy joined the XV-15 test programme in 1980, and in 1983 awarded Bell and Boeing-Vertol a contract for the joint design of an advanced XV-15 meant to fulfill the Joint Services' Advanced Vertical Lift Aircraft (JVX) requirement. The Navy ultimately placed orders on behalf of the Marine Corps for production versions of the improved V-22 "Osprey" design.
Both XV-15s flew into the 1990s, doing test work and demonstrations throughout the U.S. The first XV-15 prototype aircraft, N702NA, was transferred back to Bell for company development and demonstration use. On Aug 20, 1992, the aircraft crashed while being flown by a guest test pilot. The aircraft had been at low altitude and preparing to land when it flipped inverted and crashed because of a loose bolt. While significantly damaged, the aircraft was largely structurally intact and both the pilot and copilot escaped with only minor injuries from the crash. N703NA was based and test flown at NASA Ames' Moffett Field facility; I saw the ship flying many times and it also performed at several air shows. N703NA was donated to the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum and is currently on display at the Hazy facility - see photo below. The model pictured here is in the early color scheme. The maker is unknown; the model measures about 1:62 scale and is made of solid resin. It probably stems from around 1979.
A familiar looking offshoot of the XV-15. The much smaller Bell TR918 Eagle Eye VTUAV, originally developed for the Coast Guard as the TR916, made its first flight in January 2006 as a technology demonstrator for unmanned systems.
The photos below show two MV-22 Ospreys attached to the NAS Patuxent River Air Test and Evaluation Squadron HX-21. CollectAir photos taken in June 2005.
WANTED - HUGHES YHO-2HU
The photo below shows part of a sales ad from August 1959 featuring a nifty model of the proposed YHO-2HU - I'd like to obtain one these 1959 models.
In 1959, the Hughes Tool Company was pitching a version of the Model 269 to the Army as an observation and liason helicopter, with the designation YHO-2HU (that's a mouthfull!). Hughes had previously sold five YHO-2s for Army evaluation, but because of budgetary problems it wasn't until 1964 that the TH-55A became the standard primary trainer - it remained in service until mid-1988.
EXAMPLES OF HILLER H-23 DISPLAY MODELS
The model shown below is a model contracted by Hiller as a display model of the Army's H-23B, a machine which saw service in Korea. This large model is in 1:24 scale with a 17 1/2" rotor diameter. The model is constructed mostly from wood and is believed to have been built by a San Francisco area model builder who constructed numerous models for Hiller Helicopters in the late 1940s and 1950s. With the exception of some decal wear, the model is in excellent condition and has never been restored. The serial number, 1291169, would suggest an early 1950 vintage - the s/n is probably spurious. This model would be considered as being quite rare.
Topping Models made display models of the later Hiller helicopters, such as the Army H-23D Raven shown below. This helicopter is in 1:32 scale (12 1/2" rotor diameter) and is nicely detailed with cockpit interior features. The helicopter models are much more difficult to find in unbroken condition because of all the fragile pieces - one unexpected flight off the desktop and it's a write-off.
Stanley Hiller, Jr. died April 20, 2006. Stan Hiller was a genuine pioneer of helicopter design and innovation and his company, beginning as United Helicopters in 1949, was responsible for many "firsts" in the industry. Following the sale of Hiller Aircraft Company, after a merger with Fairchild, Stan created the Hiller Investment Co. specializing in corporate turn-arounds - he, and his Group, were exceedingly successful in this second career. I worked as a flight test engineer for Hiller in the 1960s and treasure those times, since then, that I spent with Stan Hiller, a truly amazing and brilliant gentleman. I took the photo above in late 2001 on a visit to the Hiller Aircraft Museum in San Carlos, California.
From the cover of the November 1930 issue of "Junior Mechanics and Model Airplane News". Reasonably accurate painting of the unsuccessful Curtiss-Wright project of 1930, the Curtiss-Bleeker helicopter powered by a P&W Wasp.
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