Hughes XH-17
![]() Between 1949-1952 the Hughes Aircraft Company built and tested the XH-17 heavylift helicopter, designed as a "flying crane" for the USAF. The largest helicopter ever built, the XH-17 was originally a Kellett design.
First flown in 1949, it was subsequently abandoned; but test-flying was restarted late in 1954.
Power: 2x 5,000 lb. thrust Allison J35 turbojets.
Rotors: 2-blade tip-powered main; 2-blade tail.
Rotor diameter: 130 ft.
Loaded weight: 52,000 lb.
Ceilng: 15,000 ft.
Typical range: 40 miles at 60 mph
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