OH-23 (Raven) (Models B and G)

OH-23 Helicopter

Country of Origin:  USA
Crew: One plus observer.
Role: utility, scout, observation.
Dimensions:  Length:  28 ft., 6 in.   Rotor diameter: 35 ft., 5 in.
Wings: Two-blade main rotor. 
Engine: One 323 hp Avco Lycoming VO-540-A1B flat-six piston engine.
Tail: Metal two-bladed tail rotor.  

Leonard Shouse doing a maintenance run up of a OH-23

The Army ordered the exchange of two OH-13s for two OH-23 B Hillers. The first exchange involved a pilot from Fort Hood, Texas, flying the Hiller to Frankfort and returning to Fort Hood in the OH-13. 

The second exchange was much more difficult. An OH-13 had to be delivered to Fort Hood and the replacement OH-23 picked up at Sharp General Depot at Stockton California and returned to Frankfort.

In October 1962 pilot Lieutenant Colonel John I. Faulkenberry and mechanic Specialist Fifth Class William Harold Canon broke an Army distance record for flying a helicopter from one point to another.  They flew from Stockton California to Frankfort – 2,700 miles in nine and a half days.

The Hiller would only hold enough fuel for about one hour and twenty minutes of flying. With an extra five-gallon gas can on board, the pair made the trip from airport to airport, stopping only twice at gas stations for high-test fuel along the way.

In 1972 the Kentucky Army National Guard turned in four OH-23B Hiller Ravens and one OH-13E.  The Kentucky Guard received its first nine UH-1D Iroquois (Huey) helicopters.  They also received three OH-58 ”A” model and four "G" model OH-23s.  The following year, they would receive ten additional OH-58 aircraft.