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The Pilots Desk
1955 experimental direct-lift rotor aircraft model by Hiller Aircraft

Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee

Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee

The Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee (U.S. Army designation; earlier Army designation: HO-1) is a unique direct-lift rotor aircraft, using contra-rotating ducted fans for lift inside a flying platform upon which the single pilot shifted body weight for directional control. The platform was developed starting in 1953 under an Office of Naval Research (ONR) contract to Hiller Aircraft, and flew successfully beginning in 1955.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.

First flight
1955-02-09

Specifications

Cruise speed
14 kt
Max speed
14 kt
Service ceiling
32.8 ft
Max takeoff weight
555 lb
Empty weight
370 lb
Powerplant
3 × Nelson H-59 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engines
Engines
3
Seats
1
Length
8.3 ft
Height
7 ft
Number built
6

Specifications are approximate and may vary by variant. Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Reference and training only. Specifications vary by variant — consult the manufacturer and the official documents.