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In 1950, a specification was issued for an interim assault helicopter. Here are the known contenders:
The Bell 48A appears elsewhere as an assault helicopter proposal, but it is not certain if it was for the same competition as no date is given. The Piasecki PV.17 was initially procured in small quantity by the USMC as the HRP-2 Rescuer. The PD-22 designs were similar to the USAF YH-21 Workhorse.
Although the S-55 apparently didn't win, it was evaluated later in 1950 as the "XHRS", becoming an assault transport. Versions were proposed as follows:
The best of these configurations was chosen for what became the HRS series (equivalents of the USAF H-19).
The following year came another assault helicopter competition, with the following proposals:
This did not result in any order from the Navy or Marines. Finally, that same year, a third competition concerned an interim ASW helicopter. Known contenders were as follows:
Note that the PD-22 series that appears in all these competitions came into production as the USAF H-21 series.
Lists may not be exhaustive. Of course I'm open to any corrections/additions anyone might provide to improve on the above!
- Gyrodyne 12
- Piasecki PD-17B/C
- Piasecki PD-21A
- Piasecki PD-22C/D
- Piasecki (using a Sikorsky S-55 demonstrator)
- Sikorsky S-55 (HO4S)
The Bell 48A appears elsewhere as an assault helicopter proposal, but it is not certain if it was for the same competition as no date is given. The Piasecki PV.17 was initially procured in small quantity by the USMC as the HRP-2 Rescuer. The PD-22 designs were similar to the USAF YH-21 Workhorse.
Although the S-55 apparently didn't win, it was evaluated later in 1950 as the "XHRS", becoming an assault transport. Versions were proposed as follows:
- Sikorsky XHRS-A(2), XHRS-A(3)
- Sikorsky XHRS-B(1), XHRS-B(2), XHRS-B(3)
The best of these configurations was chosen for what became the HRS series (equivalents of the USAF H-19).
The following year came another assault helicopter competition, with the following proposals:
- Bell D-116
- Bell D-117
- Hughes 226
- Hughes 326
- Kellett KH-11
- McDonnell 80/A
- Piasecki PD-22E
- Piasecki PH-34/A/B
This did not result in any order from the Navy or Marines. Finally, that same year, a third competition concerned an interim ASW helicopter. Known contenders were as follows:
- Piasecki PH-47
- Piasecki PH-32
- Piasecki PD-/PH-22F
- Sikorsky S-55D
Note that the PD-22 series that appears in all these competitions came into production as the USAF H-21 series.
Lists may not be exhaustive. Of course I'm open to any corrections/additions anyone might provide to improve on the above!
