HRP-1 Rescuer

The HRP‑1 Rescuer was Piasecki Helicopter Corporation’s pioneering tandem‑rotor helicopter, first flown in 1945 and entering limited service shortly after World II. Designed by Frank Piasecki, the aircraft grew out of his experiments with intermeshing rotors, but the Rescuer adopted a conventional twin‑rotor layout with one rotor mounted on the front and another on the tail. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R‑985 radial engine delivering 450 hp, the HRP‑1 could lift up to 2,500 lb and carry a crew of three plus two stretcher‑patients, making it one of the earliest purpose‑built air‑rescue platforms. Its 45‑foot rotor span and robust steel‑tube airframe gave excellent stability in high‑wind conditions and allowed operations from rough, unprepared fields. The Rescuer’s distinctive box‑like fuselage featured large side doors and a winch system that could lower and retrieve injured personnel directly to the ground. Though only a handful were built, the HRP‑1 demonstrated the tactical value of vertical‑lift rescue, influencing later Piasecki models such as the H‑21 and the modern CH‑47 Chinook. The aircraft’s legacy lies in establishing the helicopter as a reliable lifeline in both military and civilian emergency‑medical operations.

Piasecki Helicopter Corporation

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