Helio Stallion

H-550 Stallion
Role Civil utility aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Helio
First flight 5 June 1964[1]
Primary user USAF/CIA
Number built 20

The Helio HST-550 Stallion was an STOL utility aircraft developed in the United States in 1963. The prototype flew in July 1964. Initially conceived as a turboprop-powered variant of the Helio Courier, it eventually emerged as a completely new design of the same general configuration and much of it's design was initiated from components used in the Helio H-500 Twin. It was a much larger aircraft than the Courier, and Helio soon discovered that it was too expensive for the market.

The USAF however, emerged as a buyer for the design, purchasing the aircraft for the Credible Chase programme as the AU-24A. This was the gunship version of the Stallion, with a PT6A-27 680 shp (510 kW) turboprop, equipped with a General Electric XM-197 three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun mounted in the left cargo door. It also had five underwing and fuselage hardpoints.

Of the 18 aircraft purchased, fourteen or fifteen were eventually sold to the Cambodian (Khmer) Air Force.

Variants

Specifications (H-550A)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77[2]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. ^ Taylor 1965, pp. 242–243.
  2. ^ Taylor 1976, pp. 301–302.
  3. ^ Econ cruise