United Helicopters

United Helicopters was formed in 1945 as a joint venture between Stanley Hiller and Henry Kaiser.[1] The company made a very wide range of helicopters, including the world's first successful two-seat co-axial helicopter[2] and several single-seater "commuter" helicopters.

The company was also notable for making military helicopters, however, including the UH-12/H-23. While Bell Helicopter's notable UH-1 contains the United Helicopter prefix "UH", it actually competed directly against United's "Ten99" and UH in that case was its military designation and not the Bell's designation.[3]

The company lives on as Hiller Aircraft.[4] The Hiller Aviation Museum has several United Helicopter prototype helicopters available for display.

References

  1. ↑ "Helis.com Hiller Background".
  2. ↑ "US and Russian Helicopter Development in the 20th Century". Archived from the original on October 4, 2006.
  3. ↑ Spenser, Jay P. (1998). Whirlybirds – A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
  4. ↑ "Hiller Aircraft Official Homepage".
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