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Piasecki/Vertol CH-21C Workhorse

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Serial Number: 56-2159

Markings: 93rd Transportation Company, South Vietnam, 1962


The H-21 was the fourth tandem rotor helicopter design to come from Piasecki. It was first flown in 1949 and was used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Canadian Air Force, French Navy, and West German Air Force. The CH-21C was used as an assault transport during the early years of American involvement in the Vietnam War. It could carry 20 troops at a time, but was considered very vulnerable to ground fire. It was the primary helicopter used in Vietnam until 1964 when the Army began to replace it with UH-1 and CH-47.

Technical Specifications
Main Rotor Diameter 44 ft
Length 52 ft 6 in
Height 15 ft 5 in
Weight 15,200 lbs
Maximum Speed 127 mph
Service Ceiling 9,450 ft
Engines 1 Wright R-1820-103 radial 1,425 hp

On Loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio
Location: Outside Aircraft