Piasecki 16H Pathfinder Explained

16H Pathfinder
First Flight:	21 February 1962 (16H-1) 15 November 1965 (16H-1A)^[1]

The Piasecki 16H was a series of compound helicopters produced in the 1960s. The first version of the Pathfinder, the -1 version, first flew in 1962. The similar but larger Pathfinder II, the 16H-1A, was completed in 1965.

Variants

Model 16H-1 Pathfinder : one PWC PT6B-2 with one 405 shp turboshaft engine

Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II : larger version with one 1250shp T58-GE-8

Model 16H-1C Pathfinder III : proposed conversion of the 16H-1A with one 1500shp T58-GE-5 ^[2]

Model 16H-3J : nine-seat development, not built.

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Robb, Raymond L. "Hybrid helicopters: Compounding the quest for speed", Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.

External links

• Model 16H-1 Pathfinder
• Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II
• Model 16H-3

Notes and References

1. Robb 2006, pp. 42-43
2. Note: While some sources read as if this variant was completed and flown, Piasecki Aircraft's history site makes no mention of this variant at all.