Aviation Pavilion

The Aviation Pavilion, built by the Army Transportation Museum Foundation in 1987, covers and prrotects the aircraft. This guide follows the aircraft development in clockwise order. The aircraft are arranged chronologically, starting with the back row, circling clockwise back to the beginning. Aircraft outside the pavilion are listed last.

The rear half of the Air Pavilion

After the 1962 Tri-Service Agreement, all aircraft were assigned the same series designation, those in parentheses are prior to 1962. In 1983, aviation became an independent branch. Until October 1988, the Transportation Corps was responsible for training aviation maintenance personnel for most of the aircraft displayed here.

OH 23B (H 23B) RAVEN. With procurement starting in 1950, the Army ordered the H-23, Models A through G, excluding B. Built by Hiller, the A and B models had 178-200 hp Lycoming air-cooled engines, with a cruising speed of 79 knots and a rate of climb of 1,290 fpm. By 1962, there were 656 OH 23s in the Army inventory. Ravens were used by the Army for observation and utility, and the D model was the primary helicopter trainer until replaced by the TH-55A in 1965. Transportation Corps units, such as the 506th - Transportation Company, used the OH 23 for training prior to deployment. While they were not organic to TC units in Korea, they were used extensively by Division and Corps level medical ambulance detachments to carry external litters. The Army used this particular Raven to train pilots at Fort Wolters, Texas until' it was transferred to Fort Eustis in 1960 to train aircraft mechanics. Marked as the 506th Transportation ;' Company.

UH-19D CHICASAW. In service from 1952 to the mid 1960s, the Army's first true transport helicopter was the UH-19, a utility and light tactical helicopter. Introduced by Sikorsky and powered by a Curtiss Wright piston engine (on display inside the museum), this D Model has a cruise speed of 80 knots. It carried a crew of two, plus ten passengers or eight litters. The H-19C was used in Korea by the 6th Transportation Company, and participated in the "Little Switch" and "Big Switch" POW exchanges in 1953.

H-25A ARMY MULE. Piasecki developed the H-25 for US Navy rescue operations. With minor modification, it also met Army needs as a substitute for front-line H-19s in cargo and utility missions. The Army purchased the first H 25As in 1953, with the highest full-year inventory reaching 63 in 1955. Powered by a Continental Motors 9-cylinder radial engine of 475 hp, it cruised at 80 knots with a service ceiling of 11,500 feet. It had a crew of two, with an optional load of 6-8 passengers. Army service lasted from 1953-1958 when the Army gradually the aircraft to the Navy. This particular aircraft is a former USN heliciopter. Helicopters like this were used by the Transportation Aviation Group at Fort Eustis for training in the 1950s.

O-1A (L-19A) BIRD DOG. Manufactured by Cessna, the 04 was Cessna's winning design competition entry in April 1950. Powered by a Continental 213 hp engine, the Army used the Bird Dog for observation, reconniassance and liaison missions. It had a cruising speed of 100 knots and service ceiling of 18,500 ft. Transportation aviation units stationed all over the world used the O-1 for administrative functions. [It will be marked for a TC unit stationed in Europe.]

U-8D (L-23D) SEMINOLE. The Army purchased the Seminole, built by Beech, from 1952-1962 for its increased speed, higher useful load and greater range than other fleet aircraft. This six-place all-metal, low-wing, all-weather courier and personnel transport also converted to a medevac ambulance, pilot trainer, or cargo hauler. Two Lycoming engines, rated at 340 hp each, supercharged for high altitude flight, produced a cruising speed of 157 knots.

VH-34C (H34C) CHOCTAW. Built by Sikorsky and used from 1955 to the late 1960s by the active Army, the Choctaw was a cargo, light tactical, transport helicopter, and could carry 16 passengers or 8 litters. Powered by a Curtiss-Wright piston engine, it had a cruise speed of 95 knots, and a service ceiling of 9,000 ft.

At the left side of this photo, the presidential helicopter. In the center is the Shawnee, and on the right is the Mojave.

The CH-34 was the Army's most capable transport helicopter prior to the UH-1. Mostly stationed in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, the Army first issued CH 34s to the 506th Transportation Battalion. This particular model, the VH-34C, was modified for VIP transport (note the window curtains) in the Executive Flight Detachment. President John F. Kennedy reportedly flew in this one.

CH 21C (H 21C) SHAWNEE. A medium utility helicopter built by Vertol, the Shawnee is a single engine, twin-rotor, multi-mission helicopter. It carried 22 passengers, or 12 litters plus seats for two medics. Powered by a super-charged Curtiss Wright engine, the Shawnee had a cruising speed of 86 knots and a service ceiling of 18,600 feet. The Army bought 334 CH-21Cs and acquired 16 CH 21Bs from the US Air Force, which were in service 1954 to the late 1960s. Nicknamed the "Flying Banana," it could be used with wheels, floats or skis. Replaced by the UH 1 Huey beginning in late 1963, it was the first US helicopter deployed to Vietnam. [Marked with the insignia of the 57th Transportation Company, Vietnam 1962-1964.]

CH-37B (H 37B) MOJAVE. The Army procured a total of 94 CH-37s built by Sikorsky, its first multi- engine helicopter, in service from 1956 to the mid-1960s. A 26-place medium cargo helicopter, powered by two Pratt & Whitney piston engines of 2,100 hp each, it had a cruise speed of 101 knots and a service ceiling of 8,700 feet. Loaded through clamshell doors in the nose, the Mojave could carry three tons of cargo or 24 medevac litters. Used in heavy lift recovery of downed aircraft in Vietnam from June 1963, it was replaced by the CH 54. This helicopter was assigned to the 4th Transportation Company (Medium Helicopter) in 1958 in Europe, the first US Army unit to be issued the CH-37s.

U-1A OTTER. Built by De Havilland of Canada, this is one of 205 Otters purchased by the Army since 1955. Powered by a Pratt and Whitney piston engine with 600 hp, this "airborne 1-ton truck" was an 11-place all-metal, high-wing, light, tactical transport. It could be adapted for use in the Arctic or the tropics, in addition to normal missions, using wheels, skids, or floats. One of the first types of aircraft deployed to Vietnam in 1962, the Army assigned them to the 18th Aviation Company (45th Transportation Battalion), as this one is marked.

U-6A (L20A) BEAVER. Designed for Canada's bush country, the Beaver could operate on wheels, floats or skis. Built by De Havilland, it was tested by both the Army and the Air Force. While there were no separate Beaver companies, the,Army assigned U-6s to various transportation units, transporting and air-dropping personnel and supplies, laying wire, providing courier services, medevac and command transportation. It saw service from the Korean War through post-Vietnam. This one is marked as the 20th Transportation Company from the Vietnam conflict. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney engine of 450 hp, the Beaver had a cruising speed of 110 knots and service ceiling of 18,000 feet. [Marked as the 20th Transportation Company, RVN.]

UH 1B (HU-1B) IROQUOIS "HUEY:"' Manufactured by Bell, this helicopter, more commonly known as the "Huey," has been a major Army asset since its intitial procurement in 1959. Evolving through thirteen models, the Huey flew millions of flight hours in support of a wide variety of Army missions. It cruised at 110 knots, powered by a Textron Lycoming turbine engine (displayed in the museum) generating 1,400 hp, and carried 4,000 lbs of external cargo, or 220 cubic feet of internal cargo. The Huey, at one point composing 86% of the Army's utility fleet, was the backbone of all airmobile combat operations in Vietnam. The Army purchased 1,033 of this nine-place B model during 1961-65. This particular Huey was one of three Army helicopters to make the first rotary wing flight to the South Pole (Antarctic) in February 1963, as part of Operation Deep Freeze. Used in support of the U. S. Geological Survey, it was painted "arctic orange," standard for equipment in extremely snowy climates. CH-47 (H-47) CHINOOK. [A CH-47 is presently being restored for exhibit, and not displayed yet.] Selected to produce a new medium cargo helicopter in 1958, the Vertol Division of Boeing has been delivering Chinooks to the Army since 1961. The Chinook was a proven performer in combat from Vietnam through the Persian Gulf War. At gross weight (carrying 25,000 lbs), it's maximum speed was 142 knots with a service ceiling of 8,500 ft. TH 55 (HO 2) OSAGE. Purchased off-the-shelf after Army tests and evaluation, the Osage was initially procured in November 1964 from Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division. Designed with dual controls, it was a two-place, side-by-side primary training helicopter. Over 860 eventually entering the Army inventory. Powered by one Lycoming HIO 360-B1A engine of 180 hp, the TH-55 had a maximum speed of 66 knots. It featured a 360-degree visibility, eight foot ground-to-rotor clearance, and well-designed skids to absorb hard student landings.

In center - Experimental

VZ-4DA DOAK 16 VTOL. Built by DOAK Aircraft Company, this VTOL (vertical takeoff/landing) aircraft was powered by two ducted props on its wing-tips which rotate 90 degrees, converting it from vertical takeoff to forward flight. It completed a 50-hours test flight in 1958, with a maximum speed of 200 mph. This Model 16 used an 825 hp turbine engine with interconnected propellers. Originally part of the Army Aviation Research and Development Program, and then NASA, it was transferred to the museum in 1973.

AIR CAR Curtiss-Wright Model 2500. Curtiss Wright Corporation designed this 4-place GEM (Ground Effects Machine) and then produced it in November 1959, after considerable testing of the prototype. Powered by two 180 hp Lycoming engines, it generated enough air pressure to skim 612 inches off the ground at speeds up to 35 mph with a maximum six per cent gradient. The Army bought two of these machines off-the-shelf for analysis at Fort Eustis, testing the performance of air cushion vehicles.

VZ8P-2 FLYING JEEP. The 'flying jeep' concept was developed under contract with the Transportation Research and Experimental Command at Fort Eustis by Piasecki. The initial model of the Flying Jeep, the VZ8P 1, first flew in May 1958, and was transferred to the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, Pennsylvania for display in 1996. The second model, the VZ8P-2, also built by Piasecki, differed from the first in that the front rotor was parallel to the ground, but the rear rotor slanted at an angle, providing forward thrust. Both models were powered by two three-blade rotors and two Artouste II turbine engines which generated lift. All major components were housed in the chassis, thereby reducing hazards of conventional helicopters to personnel on the ground. It first flew at Piasecki's Philadelphia plant in December 1962.

In front of pavilion

CH 54A (H 54A) TARHE "SKY CRANE" Since first flight in 1962 and initial procurement of six, the Army purchased 28 of the Sikorsky twin turbo-shaft heavy-lift Tarhes through 1968. Powered with two Pratt & Whitney turbines of 4,800 hp, the CH-54s had a cruising speed of 96 knots, a ceiling of 13,000 ft, and a best rate of climb of 1,700 feet per minute.

MagWeb.com VP Susan Lockwood, all of 5'3" tall, meets Sky Crane.

The 88-ft length of the rotor blades (replaced here with shorter blades for exhibit and safety purposes), gave it the capability of hoisting over 19,000 lbs, the later B Model lifting over 27,000 lbs. Designed to carry loads externally, the rear-facing pilot's seat provided a clear view of the hoist and cargo during pickups and deliveries, all of which are done without landing. A lightweight van, call a "universal pod," could be attached to the fuselage and carried 24 litters plus 15 seats, or 45 troops. Particularly suited for recovering downed aircraft and Sling-lifting oversized and heavy cargo, the CH 54, also called the "Sky Crane," served in Vietnam with the 478th Aviation Company 1966 1968.

YG7A (CV 2A) CARIBOU. Initially procuring 173 in 1959, the Caribou was the largest Army fixed wing aircraft. Manufactured by De Havilland, the Army ferried the CV 2s to Vietnam in 1962 where their excellent short field performance and three-ton payload served as a superb tactical transport airplane. Powered by the two Pratt & Whitney engines of 1,450 hp each, it cruised at 149 knots with a service ceiling of 27,500 ft. The Army released the CV 2s to the USAF in 1966 under an Army-Air Force agreement. The Army kept several prototypes, tail #59-3079 being the fifth prototype. The yellow and white paint scheme represents the colors of the Golden Knights, the Army's parachute team, who used this plane from 1973 to 1985.

More Fort Eustus US Army Transportation Museum

Introduction
Museum Building
Railroad Park
Cargo Handling Yard
Aviation Pavilion
Marine Park
Summary

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