UNITED STATES MILITARY AIRCRAFT by Jos Heyman

Navy

P Latest update: 1 February 2015

P = Piasecki (1946-1962)

HJP Piasecki PV-14 Specifications: rdm: 35', 10.67 m length: 31'10", 9.70 m engines: 1 Continental R-975-34 max. speed: 120 mph, 193 km/h

(Source: Piasecki)

A tandem rotor utility helicopter, two XHJP-1s were built with serials 37976/37977. It flew for the first time in March 1948 although October 1948 has also been quoted. Production was undertaken as HUP-1. Refer also to H-25, HUP

HRP Piasecki PV-3 Rescuer Specifications: rdm: 41', 12.50 m length: 48’, 14.63 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 max. speed: 99 mph, 159 km/h

(Source: USCG)

The PV-3 was a tandem rotor helicopter which was initially fabric covered but later metal covered. Sometimes referred to as the XHRP-X, a company designation, two XHRP-1s were ordered on 1 February 1944 with serials 37968/37969 and the first flight was on 7 March 1945 – at that time without a skin covering. The second aircraft was not accepted and a third aircraft with serial 85390 was cancelled. The XHRP-1 was fitted with a Continental R-975 engine. The HRP-1 was the production version of which 20 were ordered with serials 111809/111828. A batch with serials 111834/111848 was cancelled although the aircraft were probably completed as, at least one, appeared later on the civil register. The first flight was on 15 August 1947, although 3 November 1947 has also been quoted.

(Source: US Navy?)

The HRP-2 version was metal covered and had a fuselage length of 54'9", 16.69m. Five were ordered in June 1948 with serials 111829/111833 although the last one may not have been completed. The first flight was on 10 November 1949. Refer also to H-21

HUP Piasecki PV-18 Retriever Specifications: rdm: 35', 10.67 m length: 31'10", 9.70 m engines: 1 Continental R-975-42 max. speed: 120 mph, 193 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

A production version of the HJP, 32 HUP-1s were built with serials 124588/124594, 124915/124929 and 126706/126715. The HUP-1 version had a Continental R-975-34 engine. The HUP-2 was the major production version without the vertical tail surfaces of the HUP-1. In total 339 were built with some delivered to France. The serials were 128479/128600, 129418/129522, 129978/130085 and 134434/134437. Batches with serials 130086/130100, 134677/134691 and 135718/135745 were cancelled. On 18 September 1962 those aircraft remaining in service were redesignated as UH-25B. A number of HUP-2s, including 128581, were converted with anti-submarine radar as HUP-2S. The HUP-3 designation was applied to 50 Army H-25As fitted with a Continental R-975-46A engine which were transferred to the US Navy with serials 147582/147630 and 149088. Those remaining in service on 18 September 1962 were redesignated as UH-25C. One HUP-2S was fitted with a Wright R-1820 engine and redesignated as HUP-4. The serial was 129978. Refer also to H-25, HJP

P = Piper (1942-1943)

LBP Piper Specifications: span: length: max. speed:

(Source: Bill Norton collection)

The LBP-1 was a bomb glider which was to use existing aircraft components and which was to be fitted with a tri-cycle undercarriage and a TV and radar system for guidance, in addition to the 4000 lb bomb. Piper received an order in September 1943 to built 100 LBP-1s with serials 85165/85264 in September 1944 but production was cancelled on 8 June 1945 after having been cut back first to 35 and then to 25. The first aircraft was, however, delivered in January 1946 as XLBP-1 with an additional two at a later date. It is assumed these XLBP-1s were serialled as 85165/85167 Refer also to LBE, LBT

LNP Piper Specifications: span: 35’2”, 10.72 m length: 23’, 7.01 m max. speed: 122 mph, 196 km/h

(Source: National Soaring Museum, via Bill Norton collection)

Three USAAF TG-8 glider trainers based on the Piper Cub were transferred to the US Navy as XLNP-1 and with serials 36425/36427 for use in the Glomb project. They were previously 43-3065, 43-3070 and 43-3075. On the above photo the USAAF serials 43-3075 is shown under the cockpit whilst the US Nave serial 36427 is shown on the tail.. Refer also to C-83, L-4, L-14, O-59, TG-8, AE, HE, NE

P = Pitcairn (1931-1932)

OP Pitcairn PA-34 Specifications: rdm: 30'3", 9.22 m length: 23'1", 7.04 m engines: 1 Wright R-975-E max. speed: 140 mph, 225 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

Three XOP-1 tandem two-seat autogyros were ordered on 22 January 1931 with serials A8850 and A8976/8977. One of these was experimentally fitted with floats. Ordered on 12 March 1935, the wings of XOP-1 A8850 were removed and the aircraft was redesignated as XOP-2. Refer also to G-2

P = Spartan (1940-1941)

NP-1 Spartan C3 Specifications: span: 33'9", 10.29 m length: 24'3", 7.39 m engines: 1 Lycoming R-680-8 max. speed: 108 mph, 173 km/h

(Source: Jacques Trempe, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #2454)

201 NP-1s were ordered on 10 July 1940 with serials 3645/3845 and were assigned to flying schools.