American Military Helicopters and Vertical/Short Landing and Takeoff Aircraft Since 1941

Over the past eight decades, developments in vertical lift aircraft—both helicopters and vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) planes—have given the American military unparalleled capabilities on the modern battlefield. The U.S. has led the world in vertical lift technologies with the help of some of the brightest minds in this field—Igor I. Sikorsky, Arthur M. Young, Frank N. Piasecki, Charles H. Kaman and Stanley Hiller, Jr., to name a few—and by having the industrial prowess to make their concepts reality. This book provides a concise historical survey, including technical specifications, drawings, and photographs of every type of helicopter and V/STOL aircraft developed for the U.S. military, from the earliest examples tested in 1941 and 1942, up to the newest prototypes.

E.R. Johnson is a retired attorney at law and aviation writer who lives in the Ozark region of north-central Arkansas. As an instrument-rated private pilot, he accumulated pilot-in-command experience in more than 20 types of aircraft, including seaplanes, and is the author of eight books and more than 60 magazine articles on aviation topics.

Ted Williams is a fine artist, illustrator, and researcher with expertise in aircraft and aviation history. His work has been featured in books, magazines, and journals, and is on display in museums and in private collections around the world.

Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
Introduction: Influences That Shaped Development of Vertical Flight in the U.S. Military Services 3
Part I—Helicopters 19
Part II—Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft 329
Appendix I: Unmanned Helicopters and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Air Vehicles 427
Appendix II: Helicopter and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (V/STOL) Designation Systems 450
Appendix III: Helicopter and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (V/STOL) Unit Designations 453
Appendix IV: Helicopter and Short/Vertical Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) Aircraft Weapons and Munitions 459
Glossary of Helicopter and Aeronautical Terms 462
Bibliography 477
Index 481