Hughes TH-55 Osage

Summary

Category Helicopter
Origin country πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
First flight2 October 1956
Year of introduction1961
Number produced2800 units

Description

The Hughes TH-55 Osage was a military training helicopter developed in the United States during the 1950s by the Hughes Tool Company. Designed as a lightweight and cost-effective training platform, it was primarily utilized by the U.S. Army for flight instruction and aerial observation missions. Featuring a simple and reliable design, the Osage played a significant role in training countless pilots during its service life. Its deployment was primarily restricted to the U.S. Army, where it served as an integral part of pilot training programs for several decades. The Osage's development and deployment allowed for essential training and observation capabilities within the U.S. military.

Technical specifications

Version: TH-55 Osage
Crew2 members
Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph)
Wingspan7.7 m (25.3 ft)
Height2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Length8.8 m (28.9 ft)
Service ceiling4000 m (13123 ft)
Empty weight435 kg (959 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight703 kg (1550 lbs)
Powerplant1 Γ— Lycoming HIO-360-A1A 4-cylinder piston engine delivering 180 hp (130 kW)

Current operating countries

Country Units
Thailand Thailand 45
Indonesia Indonesia 21
Greece Greece 18
Pakistan Pakistan 15
El Salvador El Salvador 4
Mexico Mexico 4
Peru Peru 4

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Brazil β€’ Colombia β€’ Costa Rica β€’ Algeria β€’ Spain β€’ Greece β€’ Honduras β€’ Haiti β€’ Indonesia β€’ India β€’ Japan β€’ Mexico β€’ Pakistan β€’ Peru β€’ Sierra Leone β€’ El Salvador β€’ Sweden β€’ Thailand β€’ Turkey β€’ Taiwan β€’ United States