Back Piasecki PV-17 / HRP-2
1949

Piasecki PV-17 / HRP-2

The much-improved HRP-2 (PD-17) featured a streamlined metal fuselage offering better visibility for two pilots, who now sat side by side ahead of the front rotor. The most significant improvement was the HRP-2's all-metal stressed-skin construction. Compared to it, the HRP-1 (with or without its balloon-cloth covering) looked like a dinosaur.

It used the same engine and rotors as the HRP-1, but was slightly shorter and lighter. If its semi-monocoque fuselage had been built like that of an airplane, it would have been too heavy. The Piasecki team used a thinner skin and had the longitudinal members shaved down, as well as other extruded parts that could not be manufactured thinly enough.

Jim Ryan lifted the new Navy helicopter into the air for the first time October 29, 1949. While it was indeed better than the HRP-1, the fast pace of helicopter technology had already passed it by, and better helicopters could now be built. With a gross weight of 3260kg, the HRP-2 was simply too light to offer much utility and only five were built.

J.P.Spencer "Whirlybirds: A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers", 1998

Technical data for Piasecki HRP-2

Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 radial pistone engine, rated at 447kW, rotor diameter: 12.5m, length: 16.46m, height: 4.52m, take-off weight: 3277kg, empty weight: 2404kg, max speed: 169km/h, cruising speed: 148km/h, range: 483km

Comments
lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024reply

20

RES, e-mail, 07.10.2020reply

Any info on Marine Capt. Arnold Reiner?

Sheila Ryan, e-mail, 11.11.2014reply

From what I understand, I was only a little girl, The Pilot James Ryan (my father), was doing a series of test flights, during one of them he was supposed to see how high vertically and under what conditions he could fly when he was forced to make a decision, either crash or try to do the loop, he was able to successfully do the loop.

John Rogers, e-mail, 19.03.2023 Sheila Ryan

So interesting to hear about your father's exploits! Thank you for sharing!

reply

Ken Boltz, e-mail, 04.12.2013reply

It's been a while, but as I remember it we would fly for 2.5 hours. Empty with a 20 minute fuel reserve.

nick, 30.06.2009reply

hey james ryan thats pretty cool! im not kidding!!

Gerhard Valentin, e-mail, 08.06.2008reply

I have no comments but a question please,
What is the total weight that this helicopter can carry,

I am looking for a helicopter that can carry the most weight in the belly
I am awiating your return
Regards

Thank you
Gerhard Valentin

dave, e-mail, 21.10.2007reply

What was the story behind Jim Ryan and the first helicopter loop

James Ryan, e-mail, 16.04.2007reply

My father Jim Ryan was the first man to fly a helicopter upside down using this helicopter.

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