Frank Piasecki was one of the pioneers of helicopter design and successfully flew his first helicopter, the PV 2 in 1943. The Piasecki Helicopter Corporation was formed in 1946 in Pennsylvania and began production of the HRP-1 (23 built) which was delivered to the US Navy for search and rescue duties. The similar HRP-2 (5 built) was followed by the H-21A Workhorse (56 built) for the USAF, with six going to Canada. The H-21B (163 built) was an improved version with protective armour and were used mainly as troop transports. The H-21C was ordered for the US Army and named Shawnee. Of the total built, 98 went to the French Army, 10 to the French Navy, six to Canada and thirty two to West Germany. Examples of the H-21C served in Vietnam from 1961 to 1969 when the type was retired. Piasecki became the Vertol Aircraft Corporation in 1956 and the last H-21C was built in 1959. A handful have been made airworthy in recent years.

N70881                     c/n 9638                      USA

22 seat helicopter first flown in 1953