Piasecki HRP Rescuer
Piasecki Helicopter Corporation · United States · first flew 1945 · transport aircraft
The Piasecki HRP Rescuer was one of the first practical tandem-rotor helicopters to enter military service, pioneering the configuration that would later become the Piasecki/Vertol/Boeing Chinook lineage. Its curved fuselage earned it the 'flying banana' nickname.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Curved fuselage with rotor at each end |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tandem rotor 'flying banana' helicopter
- Curved fuselage with rotor at each end
- Fabric-covered structure on early examples
The banana-shaped fuselage curving upward at the tail end to raise the rear rotor clear of the forward one, tandem rotors without a tail rotor, and the fabric-covered construction of early examples are the primary identification features.
Specifications
- The Piasecki HRP Rescuer has a length of 18 m (59 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.65 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 148 km/h (92 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + up to 8 passengers or cargo.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in March 1945, the HRP-1 was ordered by the US Navy and Coast Guard. The tandem rotor layout overcame the torque limitations of single-rotor designs, allowing a larger and heavier fuselage. It demonstrated the viability of tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopters.
Variants
The HRP-1 Rescuer had fabric covering over a steel-tube frame; the HRP-2 introduced an all-metal fuselage. The US Navy and Marine Corps both operated the type. A small number also served with the USAF.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps from the late 1940s into the mid-1950s, primarily for utility, rescue, and experimental operations. The type laid the groundwork for Piasecki's later and more capable tandem-rotor helicopters.
Related aircraft
- Piasecki HRP-1 Rescuer
- Piasecki PV-2
- Piasecki HUP Retriever
- Piasecki XHJP-1 Retriever
- Avro Lancastrian
- Bristol 170 Freighter
- Bristol Freighter
- Canadian Car and Foundry CBY-3 Loadmaster
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