HelicoptersAmerican twin-engine heavy lift helicopter prototype
Hughes XH-17
The Hughes XH-17 "Flying Crane" was the first helicopter project for the helicopter division of Hughes Aircraft Company. The XH-17, which had a two-bladed main rotor system with a diameter of 134 feet (41 m), still holds the world record for flying with the largest rotor system. It was capable of flying at a gross weight of more than 50,000 pounds (23,000 kg), but proved too inefficient and cumbersome to be mass-produced beyond the prototype unit.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
- Manufacturer
- Hughes Aircraft Company
- Category
- Helicopters
- First flight
- 1952-10-23
Specifications
- Cruise speed
- 74 kt
- Max speed
- 78 kt
- Range
- 26 nm
- Service ceiling
- 13,100 ft
- Rate of climb
- 1,650 ft/min
- Max takeoff weight
- 43,500 lb
- Empty weight
- 28,562 lb
- Fuel capacity
- 635 US gal
- Powerplant
- 2 × General Electric 7E-TG-180-XR-17A
- Engines
- 2
- Seats
- 3
- Length
- 53.3 ft
- Wingspan
- 130 ft
- Height
- 30.1 ft
- Number built
- 1
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.