PV-2

The Piasecki PV‑2 was a light utility helicopter developed in the early 1950s as the second prototype in Piasecki Helicopter Corporation’s post‑war experimental line. Inspired by the successful H‑21 “Workhorse” tandem‑rotor design, engineers set out to create a smaller, more agile machine that could serve both civilian and military customers. The PV‑2 first flew on 12 March 1953 from the company’s Willow Grove test field in Pennsylvania. Its primary features included a compact twin‑blade, coaxial rotor system, a turbo‑shaft engine delivering 460 shaft horsepower, and a semi‑monocoque aluminum airframe that reduced weight to just 2,300 pounds empty. The cockpit accommodated two crew members side‑by‑side, while a modest cargo bay could lift up to 600 pounds, making the aircraft suitable for liaison duties, medical evacuation, and light cargo transport. Although only a limited production run of twelve units was completed before Piasecki shifted focus to larger tandem‑rotor transports, the PV‑2 demonstrated the viability of coaxial rotors for stability and reduced footprint. Its innovations influenced later designs such as the Piasecki HUP Retriever and paved the way for modern compact helicopters used worldwide today.

Piasecki Helicopter Corporation

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Production & History

Design & Classification