Hiller H-23 Raven Helicopter
The Hiller H-23A Raven Helicopter had a sloping front windshield. The H-23B was used as a primary helicopter trainer. Beginning with the UH-23C, all later models featured the "Goldfish bowl" canopy similar to the Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter. The H-23 Raven also featured the Hiller "Rotomatic" system -- two paddles at right angles to the two rotor blades -- that produced great stability and insulated the pilot from rotor vibrations.
The OH-23D was a purely military version with a O-435-23C engine and a more reliable transmission. Most OH-23Ds were replaced by the OH-23G, the most common version of the Raven, with a more powerful Lycoming O-540-9A six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air cooled 305 hp engine. The MedEvac version carried two external skid-mounted litters or pods.
The U.S. Navy procured the same helicopter under the designation HTE-1 (similar to Army H-23A, but with four wheels instead of three) and HTE-2 (similar to Army H-23B, but with four wheels instead of skids.)
The Hiller OH-23 Raven served during the early part of the Vietnam war but was replaced by the OH-6A Cayuse in early 1968.
Hiller H-23 Raven Specifications and Performance
| Rotor diameter | 35 ft. |
| Length | 27 ft. 10 in. |
| Height | 10 ft. 1 in. |
| Weight | 2,750 lb. max |
| Armament | M37C .30 Cal. mg (XM1 armament subsystem) or twin M60C 7.62mm mg (M2 armament subsystem) |
| Engine | Varied by model |
| Maximum speed | 95 mph |
| Cruising speed | 83 mph |
| Range | 274 mi. |
| Service ceiling | 13,000 ft. |
Note: Specifications based on the H-23G, superior to the earlier models.
Hiller H-23B Raven.
Navy HTE-2 with wheeled undercarriage, equivalent to H-23B.
OH-23D, personal aircraft of Bruce Briggs, Denton, TX.
H-23D Raven armed with twin M37C .30 Cal. machine guns on XM1 armament subsystem, visible above the skids.
Hiller OH-23 Raven.
