Helicopter pioneer Frank Piasecki founded PV Engineering in 1940 and flew his first helicopter, the single seat PV-2, in 1943. Renamed Piasecki Helicopter Corporation in 1946, Mr. Piasecki left the company in 1955 to form the Piasecki Aircraft Company. Concentrating on compound helicopter and other advanced vertical flight designs, the original Pathfinder flew in 1962. Pictured at the Vertical Flight Society's Forum75, the larger Pathfinder II flew in 1965 under a joint Army/Navy development contract. It was returned to the Piasecki in 1968 for further company funded research.

The U. S. Army selected the Sikorsky Choctaw in 1955 as a medium lift cargo and troop transport. Built as the CH-34A between 1955 and February of 1959 there were 426 Choctaws delivered to the Army. Others were delivered to the United States Air Force and Navy. Beginning in 1958 the Choctaw was upgraded to CH-34C standards with the installation of auto-stabilization systems to allow all-weather operations. Also beginning in 1958 several Choctaws were converted to VIP transports for use by the Executive Flight Detachment and provided helicopter transport for the President until the end of 1964

Wears "Buzz Code" LH-924. Civil model 7BCM taken from the production line for service with the US Army. .

Displayed wearing a white and red arctic scheme.

This Missouri ANG Cobra is on display at the very friendly Museum of Missouri Military History.

Flight-testing a mobile control tower called the Craig Helicop-Hut. The 93rd Transportation Company (Light Helicopter) was based here at Fort Devens. Stilll equipped with the Shawnee it was sent to Vietnam early on in December 1961. Photo from: National Archives at Boston

This Huey was previously on display at the Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington but is now on display at the Museum of Missouri Military History.

Photographer: Nelson Hare

Photographer: Richard Sullivan

Photographer: Bob Shane. Airport possibly Tucson Marana.

Photographer: Benjamin Knowlrs