View source for Hughes TH-55 Osage

{{short description|Piston-powered light training helicopter produced for the United States Army}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = TH-55 Osage <br /> Hughes 269
 |image = File:Schweizer 300 Flygvapenmuseum.jpg
 |caption = A Schweizer 300C with the [[Swedish Air Force Museum]]
 |type=Light [[utility aircraft|utility]] and [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] [[helicopter]] 
 |manufacturer= [[Hughes Helicopters]] 
 |designer=
 |first_flight= 2 October 1956 
 |introduction=
 |retired=
 |status=
 |primary_user= [[United States Army]] 
 |more_users=
 |produced= 1961–1983
 |number_built= 2,800<ref>[http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/Frtypen/FRSch300.htm FLUG REVIEW online] accessed 1 October 2007  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410164737/http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/Frtypen/FRSch300.htm |date=April 10, 2007 }}</ref>
 |unit cost=
 |variants= [[Schweizer S300]] 
}}

The '''Hughes TH-55 Osage''' is a piston-powered light training [[helicopter]] produced for the [[United States Army]]. It was also produced as the '''Model 269''' family of light utility [[helicopter]]s, some of which were marketed as the '''Model 300'''. The [[Schweizer 300|Model 300C]] was produced and further developed by [[Schweizer Aircraft|Schweizer]] after 1983.

== Development ==

In 1955, [[Hughes Helicopters|Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division]] carried out a market survey which showed that there was a demand for a low-cost, lightweight two-seat helicopter. The division began building the '''Model 269''' in September 1955. It was initially designed with a fully glazed cockpit with seating for two pilots, or a pilot and passenger. It also had an open-framework fuselage and a three-blade articulated rotor. The prototype flew on 2 October 1956,<ref name="spruce-1">[http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/helicopters/ "Military helicopters."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629203314/http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/helicopters/ |date=2012-06-29 }} ''Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 17 June 2012.</ref> but it wasn't until 1960 that the decision was made to develop the helicopter for production. The original truss-work tailboom was replaced with a tubular tailboom and the cockpit was restructured and refined prior to being put into production, resulting in the '''Model 269A'''. With this model, Hughes successfully captured a large portion of the civilian helicopter market<ref name="spruce-1" /> with an aircraft that would prove itself popular in agriculture, police work and other duties.

== Design ==

The Hughes 269 was designed with a fully articulated, three-blade main [[helicopter rotor|rotor]] designed by [[Drago Jovanovich]], and a two-blade [[tail rotor]] that would remain as distinctive characteristics of all its variants. It also has shock absorber-damped, skid-type landing gear. The flight controls are directly linked to the swashplate of the [[helicopter]] so there are no [[hydraulic]] systems in the 269. There are generally two sets of controls, although this was optional on the civil 269A. For three-seat aircraft, the middle collective control stick is removable and a seat cushion can be put in its place for the third passenger.

== Operational history ==
[[File:TH-55 Osage.jpg|thumb|left|TH-55A Osage helicopter parked on the flightline at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Toro]], California in 1966.]]

In 1958, prior to full-time production, Hughes provided five preproduction Model 269A examples to the U.S. Army for evaluation as a light observation helicopter to replace the aging [[Bell 47|OH-13 Sioux]] and [[OH-23 Raven]]. Designated as the '''YHO-2HU'''<ref name="Frawley Military">Frawley, 2002, p. 148.</ref><ref name="Gunston">Gunston 1978, p. 205.</ref> the helicopter was eventually turned down. On 9 April 1959, the 269A received certification from the FAA. Hughes continued to concentrate on civil production, and deliveries of the Model 269A began in 1961. By mid-1963 about 20 aircraft were being produced a month and by the spring of 1964, 314 had been built.

While the U.S. Army had not found the Model 269A adequate for combat missions, in 1964 it adopted a modified version of the 269A as its training helicopter to replace the [[OH-23 Raven|TH-23]] and designated it the '''TH-55A Osage'''.<ref name="Gunston"/> 792 TH-55 helicopters would be delivered by 1969, and it would remain in service as the U.S. Army's primary helicopter trainer until it was replaced in 1988 by the [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1 Huey]]. At the time of its replacement, over 60,000 U.S. Army pilots had trained on TH-55 making it the U.S. Army's longest serving training helicopter.<ref name="Frawley Military"/> In addition to the U.S. Army, Hughes delivered TH-55/269/300s to other military customers.<ref name="Frawley Military"/>

In 1964, Hughes introduced the slightly larger three-seat Model 269B which it marketed as the '''Hughes 300'''. That same year, the Hughes 269 set an endurance record of 101 hours. To set the record, two pilots took turns piloting the aircraft and hovered in ground-effect for fueling. To ensure no cheating, eggs were attached to the bottom of the skid gear to register any record-ending landing.<ref name="spruce-1" />

[[File:Schweizer269C-G-BWAV.JPG|thumb|right|Schweizer 300C]]

The Hughes 300 was followed in 1969 by the improved '''Hughes 300C''' (sometimes 269C), which first flew on 6 March 1969 and received FAA certification in May 1970. This new model introduced a more powerful 190&nbsp;hp (140&nbsp;kW) Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine and an increased-diameter rotor, giving a payload increase of 45%, plus overall performance improvements.<ref name="Frawley Military"/> It was this model that [[Schweizer Aircraft|Schweizer]] began building under license from Hughes in 1983.<ref name="Frawley Civil">Frawley 2003, p. 190.</ref> In 1986, Schweizer acquired all rights to the helicopter from [[McDonnell Douglas]], who had purchased Hughes Helicopters in 1984, and renamed it [[MD Helicopters|McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems]]. For a few years after, Schweizer acquired the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] Type Certificate  known as the '''Schweizer-Hughes 300'''. While Schweizer made over 250 minor improvements, the basic design remained unchanged.

Between Hughes and Schweizer, and including foreign-licensed production civil and military training aircraft, nearly 3,000 copies of the Model 269/300 have been built and flown over the last 50 years. That would have been the end of the story, but Schweizer continued to develop the model 300 by adding a turbine and redesigning the body to create the model 330m, and then further developed the dynamic components to take greater advantage of the power of the turbine engine; this led to the development of the Model 333.

== Variants ==
=== Model numbers ===
;269
:Two prototype aircraft powered by a 180&nbsp;hp Lycoming O-360-A engine and had a truss tailboom. First flown on 2 October 1956.
;269A
:Replacing the prototype's truss tailboom with a simple aluminum tube as the tailboom, the 269A came with the option for several models of Lycoming O-360 engines: the carbureted O-360-C2D, restricted to {{cvt|165|hp|0}} in the 269A, or the carbureted HO-360-B1A/B1B or fuel-injected HIO-360-B1A/B1B, all rated for {{cvt|180|hp|0}} in the 269A.<ref name=FAA_4H12>{{cite web |author=Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |author-link=Federal Aviation Administration |title=Type Certificate Data Sheet No. 4H12 |date=29 April 2020 |url=https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/78c90597-215f-428c-a32e-07fc999c69b6}}</ref>{{NoteTag|Even though Francillon claims that the -C2D was a lower-compression engine intended for 80/87 octane fuel,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Francillon |first1=René J. |title=McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920: Volume II |date=1988 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=978-1-55750-550-7 |page=161 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vXJTAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Hughes%22+%22C2D%22+%22B1B%22+%22octane%22+%22compression%22 |access-date=20 September 2021 |quote=Customers could ... select the low-compression O-360-C2D (for use with 80/87 octane fuel), high-compression HO-360-B1B (for use with 91/96 octane fuel), or ...}}</ref> the FAA's type certificate data sheet 4H12 for the Hughes 269A specifies the same 91/96 octane fuel for all these engine versions,<ref name=FAA_4H12/> and type certificate data sheets E-286 and 1E10 for the Lycoming O-360 and IO-360 families give the same compression ratio of 8.5 for the O-360-C2D, HO-360-B1A, HO-360-B1B,<ref name=FAA_E286>{{cite web |author=Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |author-link=Federal Aviation Administration |title=Type Certificate Data Sheet No. E-286 |date=30 April 2013 |url=https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/b2120ae0-6844-4762-9d84-fb8cd4848154}}</ref> HIO-360-B1A, and HIO-360-B1B.<ref name=FAA_1E10>{{cite web |author=Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |author-link=Federal Aviation Administration |title=Type Certificate Data Sheet No. 1E10 |date=4 May 2020 |url=https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/2ba01b40-f078-40f7-9cd4-5c502de78e3d}}</ref>}} Customers also had the option for dual controls, and a 19 gal (72 liter) auxiliary tank. The maximum weight was {{cvt|1550|lb|0}}; later this could be increased to {{cvt|1600|lb|0}} if certain modifications were performed.<ref name=FAA_4H12/>
;269A-1 "Model 200"
:The 269A-1, which Hughes marketed as the '''Model 200''', was an improved version of the 269A certified by the FAA on 23 August 1963. Powered by the {{cvt|180|hp|0}} fuel-injected Lycoming HIO-360-B1A or -B1B, and with its maximum weight increased to {{cvt|1670|lb|0}}, the Model 200 also had the option for either a 30 gal (114 liter) or 25 gal (95 liter) main fuel tank.<ref name=FAA_4H12/> Hughes sold two versions of the Model 200: the ordinary '''Model 200 Utility''' and the '''Model 200 Deluxe''' with added custom interior decor and electrically operated [[Flight control surfaces#Control trimming surfaces|trim]] for the [[Helicopter flight controls#Cyclic|cyclic control]].<ref name=JAWA65-66>{{cite book |editor1-last=Taylor |editor1-first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1965–1966 |date=1965 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. |location=New York |page=245 |isbn=9780531039151 |url=https://archive.org/details/janesallworldsai6566fran/page/245/mode/1up |access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref><ref>Hirschberg and Daley, 7 July 2000</ref>
;269B "Model 300"
:Featuring a three-seat cockpit, the 269B was powered by a 190&nbsp;hp (141&nbsp;kW) Lycoming HIO-360-A1A engine and was marketed as the '''Hughes Model 300'''. Optional floats were also available on the 300, the first time available on any 269-variant.
;280U
:single-seat, utility version of the 269B with an electric clutch and trim system. The 280U could be fitted with spraying equipment for agricultural applications.
;300AG
:269B designed specifically for agricultural spraying with a 30 gal (114 liter) chemical tank on each side of the fuselage, and a 35 feet (10.67 m) spray boom.
;300B
:269B with a Quiet Tail Rotor installed to reduce exterior noise levels to that of a light airplane. The QTR was installed on all production models starting in June 1967 and offered as a kit for previously built aircraft.
[[File:Schweizer269C.jpg|thumb|right|1989 Model 269C]]
;269C "Model 300C"
:The 300C was powered by a 190&nbsp;hp (141&nbsp;kW) Lycoming HIO-360-D1A and had a larger diameter main rotor  - {{convert|26|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|25|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}}. The larger rotor and engine giving it a 45% performance increase over previous 269-models. Hughes and Schweizer both marketed the 269C as the '''Model 300C'''.
;NH-300C
:License-built 269C by Italian aircraft manufacturing firm BredaNardi.
;300C Sky Knight
: Police patrol version of the Model 300C.
;TH-300C: Military training version.

=== Military designations ===
;YHO-2
:Five 269A aircraft were evaluated by the U.S. Army for an observation helicopter in 1957-58, originally designated '''XH-42'''. The Army did not order the YHO-2 due to lack of funds.
;TH-55A
:Military version of the 269A-1 (Model 200) built for the U.S. Army as its standard [[Primary trainer|primary training]] helicopter<ref name=JAWA65-66/> and named after the [[Osage Nation|Osage]] Native American tribe; student pilots nicknamed it the "Mattel Messerschmitt".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fwcvhpa.org/fw/aircraft.htm |title=Fort Wolters Tour: The Aircraft |access-date=2014-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219002656/http://www.fwcvhpa.org/fw/aircraft.htm |archive-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although basically the same as the Model 200, the TH-55A was fitted with military radio and instrumentation. 792 TH-55As were purchased by the Army between 1964 and 1967. An experimental TH-55A was fitted with an [[Allison Model 250|Allison 250-C18]] [[turboshaft]] engine, and another would be fitted with a {{cvt|185|hp|kW}} [[Wankel engine|Wankel RC 2-60 rotary engine]].
;TH-55J
:38 license-produced versions of the TH-55A, built by [[Kawasaki Aerospace Company|Kawasaki]] for the [[Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force]].
;IH-2
:[[Brazilian Navy]] designation for the Model 269A.  Originally designated '''HTH-1'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>
;IH-2A
:Brazilian Navy designation for the Model 269A-1.<ref name=":0" />
;IH-2B
:Brazilian Navy designation for the Model 269B.<ref name=":0" />

== Operators ==
;{{ALG}}
* [[Algerian Air Force]]<ref>{{citation |work=Flight International |date=11 July 1968 |number=3096 |volume=94 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201204.html |title=World Helicopter Market 1968 |page=48 |publisher=flightglobal.com |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520210227/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201204.html |archive-date=20 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{BRA}}
* [[Brazilian Navy]]<ref>{{citation |work=Flight International |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201205.html |title=World Helicopter Market 1968 - pg. 49 |publisher=flightglobal.com |date=11 July 1968 |number=3096 |volume=94 |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729102754/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201205.html |archive-date=29 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force]]<ref>{{citation |work=Flight International |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201206.html |title=World Helicopter Market 1968 - pg. 50 |publisher=flightglobal.com |date=11 July 1968 |number=3096 |volume=94 |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108124100/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201206.html |archive-date=8 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=" World 's  Air Forces 1987 pg 49 ">{{cite web| title = World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 49| work = Flight International| url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202499.html| access-date = 2013-02-21| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131101234551/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202499.html| archive-date = 2013-11-01| url-status = live}}</ref>
;{{CRI}}
* [[Military of Costa Rica|Ministry of Public Security]]<ref name=" World 's  Air Forces 1987 pg 49 "/>
;
;{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece]]
* [[Hellenic Army]] - operates 20 Breda Nardi NH300C in training role.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.helis.com/database/model/636/|title=Breda Nardi NH300C|work=Helis.com|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920161133/https://www.helis.com/database/model/636/|archive-date=2018-09-20|url-status=live}}</ref>{{vs|Helis.com is user-editable and therefore not a reliable source|date=February 2019}}
;{{HAI}}
*[[Haitian Air Corps|Haiti Air Force]]<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/haiti/Haiti-af-EscHel.htm |title=Hughes 269C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915184116/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/haiti/Haiti-af-EscHel.htm |archive-date=2007-09-15 }} ''Haiti Air Force Unit History.'' Retrieved: 17 June 2012.</ref>
;{{HON}} 
*[[Honduran Air Force]]<ref>{{citation |work= Flight International |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%203646.html |title= World 's Air Forces 1990 |page= 54 |publisher= Flight Global |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114125541/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%203646.html |archive-date= 14 January 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airliners.net/photo/Honduras---Air/Hughes-TH-55A-%20Osage/1316101/L/&sid=cbc3efc39843d239f3c0a7e9ba7bc7b1|title= Honduran Hughes-TH-55A|publisher= Demand media|access-date= 21 February 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114125539/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Honduras---Air/Hughes-TH-55A-%20Osage/1316101/L/%26sid%3Dcbc3efc39843d239f3c0a7e9ba7bc7b1|archive-date= 14 January 2016|url-status= live}}</ref>
[[File:Hughes TH-55 Osage.jpg|thumb|right|A TH-55 Osage on display at the [[Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg|Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg museum]], [[Germany]]]]
;{{IND}}
* [[Indian Navy]]<ref>{{citation |work= Flight International |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202510.html |title= World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 60 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131205015054/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202510.html |archive-date= 5 December 2013 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Naval Hughes 269C |url=http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7498539&nseq=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911001951/http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7498539&nseq=2 |archive-date=11 September 2014 |access-date=21 February 2013 |publisher=jetphotos.net}}</ref>
;{{JPN}}
* [[Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force]]<ref>{{citation |work= Flight International |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202516.html |title= World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 66 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130529160314/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202516.html |archive-date= 29 May 2013 |url-status= live }}</ref>
;{{PER}}
* [[Peruvian Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= FlightGlobal |date= 4 December 2020 |access-date= 5 January 2021}}</ref>
;{{PHL}}
* [[Philippine Air Force]]- 2 units <ref>https://www.paf.mil.ph/history?page=3 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115233025/https://www.paf.mil.ph/history?page=3 |date=2021-01-15 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> 
;{{SLE}}
* [[Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces#Air arm|Sierra Leone Air Arm]]<ref>{{citation|work=Flight International|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202531.html|title=World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 81|publisher=flightglobal.com|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215842/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202531.html|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 
;{{ESP}}
* [[Spanish Air Force]]<ref>{{citation|work=Flight International|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202540.html|title=World 's Air Forces|page=90|publisher=flightglobal.com|date=1987|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205014032/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202540.html|archive-date=5 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
;{{SWE}}
* [[Swedish Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201211.html |title=World Helicopter Market 1968 - pg. 55 |publisher=flightglobal.com |date=11 July 1968 |number=3096 |volume=94 |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215838/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201211.html |archive-date=21 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{flag|Taiwan}}
*[[Republic of China Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000-1%20-%201998.html |title= World 's Air Forces 2000 pg 90 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114125541/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000-1%20-%201998.html |archive-date= 14 January 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Taiwan---Army/Hughes-TH-55C-Osage/0319657/L/&sid=cbc3efc39843d239f3c0a7e9ba7bc7b1 |title=Taiwan Army Hughes-TH-55C |publisher=Demand media |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114125539/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Taiwan---Army/Hughes-TH-55C-Osage/0319657/L/%26sid%3Dcbc3efc39843d239f3c0a7e9ba7bc7b1 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{THA}}
* [[Royal Thai Army]]<ref>{{citation |work= Flight International |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202545.html |title= World 's Air Forces 1987 pg 95 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150527104808/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202545.html |archive-date= 27 May 2015 |url-status= live }}</ref>  
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tu-army-equipment.htm |title=Turkey - Major Army Equipment |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230511/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tu-army-equipment.htm |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_th55_osage.php |title= TH-55A Osage Training Helicopter |publisher= olive-drab.com |access-date= 21 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130125090640/http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_th55_osage.php |archive-date= 25 January 2013 |url-status= live }}</ref>

== Specifications (Hughes 300) ==
[[File:Hughes TH-55A Osage 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Hughes TH-55A Osage]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75<ref name=JAWA74-75>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75 |editor1-last=Taylor |editor1-first=John W.R. |date=1974 |publisher=Franklin Watts Inc. |location=New York |isbn=978-0354005029 |edition=65th annual |pages=356–366}}</ref> and Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum''<ref name="spruce-1" /> 
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=2
|length ft=28
|length in=10.75
|length note=
|length sigfig=3
|height ft=8
|height in=2.75
|height note=overall
|height sigfig=3 
|empty weight lb=958
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=1550
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=1670
|max takeoff weight note=certificated
::::{{cvt|1850|lb|0}} maximum weight with restricted operations
|fuel capacity={{cvt|30|USgal|impgal l}} in external mounted tank with provision for a {{cvt|10|USgal|impgal l}} auxiliary tank.
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming HIO-360-A1A]]
|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine.
|eng1 hp=180
|eng1 note=<br />
::::(HIO-360-B1A in TH-55A)

|rot number=1
|rot dia ft=25
|rot dia in=3.5
|rot dia sigfig=3
|rot area sqft=503
|rot area note=<br />
*'''Blade section:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0015]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=87
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=80
|cruise speed note=maximum
::::{{cvt|66|mph|kn km/h|0}} economical.
|never exceed speed mph=87
|never exceed speed note=<br />
*'''Maximum water contact speed (on floats):''' {{cvt|20|mph|kn km/h|0}}
*'''Maximum water taxi speed (on floats):''' {{cvt|10|mph|kn km/h|0}}
|range miles=300
|range note=with maximum fuel and no reserve.
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=3 hours 30 minutes with maximum fuel.
|ceiling ft=13000
|ceiling note=<br />
*'''Hover ceiling IGE:''' {{cvt|7700|ft}}
*'''Hover ceiling OGE:''' {{cvt|5800|ft}}
|climb rate ftmin=1140
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|disk loading lb/sqft=3.3
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.107|hp/lb}}
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

== See also ==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Schweizer 300]]
|similar aircraft= 
* [[Bell 47]]
* [[OH-23 Raven]]
* [[Robinson R22]]
|lists=
*[[List of most-produced rotorcraft]]
|see also=
}}

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Abulo, Samuel A.  "The Story of the PC/INP Air Unit." ''The Constable & INP Journal,'' 17 July–August 1985, pp.&nbsp;27–31.
* Apostolo, Giorgio. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters.'' New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. {{ISBN|0-517-439352}}.
*{{cite magazine|last=Elliot|first=Bryn|title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=March–April 1997|issue=68|pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}} 
*{{cite journal |last1=Elliott|first1=Bryn|title=On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two|journal=Air Enthusiast|date=May–June 1999|issue=81|pages=64–69 |issn=0143-5450}}
* Frawley, Gerard. ''The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004''. Fyshwick ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. {{ISBN|1-875671-58-7}}.
* Frawley, Gerard. ''The International Directory of Military Aircraft''. Fyshwick ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. {{ISBN|1-875671-55-2}}.
* Gunston, Bill. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Military Aircraft''. New York: Crescent Books, 1978. {{ISBN|0-517-22477-1}}.
* Hirschberg, Michael J. and David K. Daley. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060927042659/http://www.vtol.org/History.htm ''US and Russian Helicopter Development In the 20th Century''.] 2000.

==External links==
{{commons category|TH-55 Osage}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010605193600/http://www.vtol.org/History.htm US and Russian Helicopter Development In the 20th Century]

{{Hughes aircraft}}
{{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell
  |1={{US Army helicopters}}
  |2={{USAF helicopters}}
  |3={{Swedish military aircraft designations}}
  |4={{AvN aircraft designations}}
  |5={{Spanish helicopters}}  
}}

[[Category:Hughes aircraft]]
[[Category:1950s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:United States military helicopters]]
[[Category:1950s United States military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:1950s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1956]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear]]