Hiller H-23 Raven

The Hiller H-23 (Hiller Model 360) was built in Palo Alto, California, and used extensively by the US Army for all sorts of activities, but is most known for primary helicopter flight training.

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Warbird Overview

The Hiller H-23 (Hiller Model 360) was built in Palo Alto, California, and used extensively by the US Army for all sorts of activities, but is most known for primary helicopter flight training. The Army had previously acquired the earlier version, called the H-12, from Hiller. The Army acquired about 1,800 of the more than 2,000 that were constructed from the late 1940s until the 1960s. It was retired in the early 1970s.

ABOUT THE F-14 TOMCAT

The Hiller H-23 (Hiller Model 360) was built in Palo Alto, California, and used extensively by the US Army for all sorts of activities, but is most known for primary helicopter flight training. The Army had previously acquired the earlier version, called the H-12, from Hiller. The Army acquired about 1,800 of the more than 2,000 that were constructed from the late 1940s until the 1960s. It was retired in the early 1970s.

Fact #1
The Hiller H-23 “Raven” was a unique three-seat observation and training helicopter.
Fact #2
Our H-23 served not only as a training aircraft at Fort Wolters but also served at Army National Guard Base Eagle Mountain Lake. That facility is now part of the Copeland Ministries but was at one time home to an Army tank battalion. We believe our Hiller was used for observation or liaison purposes there.
Fact #3
Its rotor blades are made of wood.

Manufacturer: Hiller Aircraft
Crew: 2
Height: 9 feet 9.5 inches
Empty weight: 1,816 pounds
Max takeoff weight: 2,700 pounds
Powerplant: 1 × Franklin O-335-6 6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine
Main rotor diameter: 35 ft 5 in (10.80 m)
Main rotor area: 985 sq ft (91.5 m2) [28]
Blade section: NACA 0012
Performance
Maximum speed: 95 mph
Cruise speed: 82 mph
Range: 197 miles
Service ceiling: 13,200 feet
Rate of climb: 1,050 ft/min

This aircraft (Serial Number 416) began life as a US Navy HTE-2 (129787) in 1952 – one of 35 and powered by a Franklin O-335-6 engine. It was soon transferred to the US Army as 54-4011. It was redesignated an OH-23B in 1962.

5/23/52	Accepted by US Navy in Palo Alto, CA
6/10/52	Arrived at Naval Air Reserve Training Unit, Seattle, WA. Accumulated almost 500 hours flight time.
5/55	Departed for NAS Pensacola
6/15/55	Retired from Navy service and acquired by US Army 54-4011
5/28/58	Mineral Wells, TX
2/24/61	Eagle Mountain Army Air Base, Fort Worth, TX
6/1/65	Fort Riley, KS
11/30/65	Fairfax Municipal Airport, Kansas City, KS
3/23/67	Kansas City, KS – 169th Aviation Company
4/5/68	Kansas City, KS
4/16/69	Topeka, KS
4/7/70	Topeka, KS
4/1/71	Kansas ANG
7/4/71	Aircraft had accumulated 2,643 flight hours
10/2021	Donated by Steve Hester