The YH-21A Workhorse, powered by a 1425 hp Wright engine, was used by the USAF in transport and med-evac roles, it was also used by the U.S. Army as the H-21C Shawnee but when used in Vietnam proved to be impractical in the hot climate and far too vulnerable to ground fire, as soon as practical (1964/1965) it was replaced by the UH-1 Huey and the CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
Vertol CH-21C Specifications: - Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, crew chief (plus one or two gunners in Vietnam)
- Capacity: 20 troops or 12 stretchers
- Length: 52 ft 6 in (16.0 m)
- Rotor diameter: 44 ft 0 in (13.4 m)
- Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
- Empty weight: 8,950 lb (4,058 kg)
- Loaded weight: 15,200 lb (6,893 kg)
- Engine: Single 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) Wright R-1820-103 Cyclone radial engine
- Maximum speed: 127 mph (110 kn, 204 km/h)
- Range: 265 mi (230 nmi, 426 km)
- Service ceiling 9,450 ft (2,880 m)
Armament: - One or two .50 (12.7 mm) machine guns (or)
- One or two 7.62 mm M60 machine guns
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