Specifications

Manufacturer:	Hiller
Year/Model:	1956 Hiller OH-23C Raven (Originally UH-12C, redesignated OH-23C in 1962)
S/N:	56-2259
Tail Number:	O-02259
TC/n:	861
Crew:	2
Power Plant:	Six cylinder fan-cooled Franklin 6V4-178-B33 engine with a maximal power of 178hp at 3000 rpm.
Main Rotar diameter:	35 feet, 5 inches
Main Rotar area:	985 square feet
Height:	9 feet 9 1/2 inches
Empty Weight:	1,816 lb, max takeoff weight, 2,700 lbs
Maximum Speed:	95 mph
Maximum Range:	197 statute miles
Service Ceiling:	13,20000 feet
Rate of Climb:	1.050 ft/min (5.3ms)
Status:	Static Display
Owner:	Estrella Warbirds Museum

OH-23 in Flight

History

This aircraft was last on display at the Camp San Luis, California Air National Guard. Transferred to Estrella Warbirds Museum, December. 2024. Pending restoration.

The Hiller OH-23 Raven is a two, three, or four-place, military light observation helicopter based on the Hiller Model 360. The Model 360 was designated by the company as the UH-12 ("UH" for United Helicopters - original name for Hiller), which was first flown in 1948. Initially it was a two-place helicopter powered by a piston engine that entered service in the late 1940s, it went on to be a popular military and civilian light helicopter in the late 20th century.

A Hiller UH-12 was the first helicopter to make a transcontinental flight across the USA, in 1949. It served in the Korean War with U.N. forces and also in Vietnam. It was an important early helicopter and was widely used internationally, in U.K. service it was called the Hiller HT Mk 1 and Mk 2, and the U.S. Navy also used it as the HTE-1 for training. It was sold commercially as the UH-12 (This was a company designation not military), though some military operators used the company designation.

Model UH-12C with three-seat cabin, one-piece canopy and metal rotor blades, 145 built for the U.S. Army. Re-designated OH-23C in 1962.