TH-55 Osage
Purchased off the shelf in November 1964 by the US Army after tests and evaluation, the Osage was built by Hughes Aircraft and was originally known as the Model 269. Designed with dual controls, it was a two-place, side by side primary training helicopter. Over 860 eventually entered the Army inventory. It featured 360-degree visibility, eight foot ground-to-rotor clearance, and well designed skids to absorb hard student landings. The TH-55 replaced the TH-23 trainer and was first delivered in 1969.
The TH-55 would remain the Army's primary helicopter trainer util it was replaced by the UH-1 Huey in 1988. At the time of its replacement, over 60,000 Army pilots had trained on the TH-55 making it the Army's longest serving training helicopter.
This helicopter was used to train student pilots at Fort Rucker, Alabama, until it was retired and sent to the U.S. Army Transportation Museum in 1989.
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1964.
Location. 37° 9.855′ N, 76° 34.578′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (here, next to this marker); OH-23 Raven (here, next to this marker); Cybernetic Walker (a few steps from this marker); Aviation in the Transportation Corps (a few steps from this marker); U-8D Seminole (a few steps from this marker); UH-1B Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); UH-1H Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); CH-21C Shawnee (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
