Studebaker clutch in...a helicopter?

[JBOYLE]

I was reading my new book on the Piasecki H-21 helicopter (you may know it as the "Flying Banana") father of the turbine-powered CH-46 series and the larger (and still in production after 50 years) CH-47 Chinook.
In discussing Frank Piasecki's first helicopter, the PV-2 (now in the National Air & Space Museum near D.C.) it mentions they used "of the shelf" parts for their proff of concept aircraft to save time and money.

"One last critcal find was a freewheeling clutch bought new from Strudebaker, the first production automobile to offer overdrive. In the PV-2, it would automatically disengage the rotor in the event of an engine failure, allowing autorotation to a safe landing."

I don't recall reading that Studebaker built trhe first overdrive. Is that true?
But they must have made a good clutch system.

[DEEPNHOCK]

(copy)

1913		First to cast six-cylinder engines in block.
1913		First to produce a car with crown fenders.
1913		First to produce a six-cylinder car to sell for less than $2,000.
1916		First to produce a seven-passenger four cylinder.
1916		First to produce a 40 horsepower touring car to sell for less than $1,000.
1919		First extensive use of pressed steel throughout.
1920		First to cast the intake manifold in the detachable head.
1920		First to use (and invent) the internal inlet manifold hot spot.
1920
1921		First to develop and patent molybdenum steel and to produce a car in which it was used.
1925		First to use a hydrostatic gas gage.
1925		First to mass produce hardtop body (Duplex Roadster & Tourer).
1926		Studebaker was the first automobile manufacturer in the USA to open a controlled outdoor proving ground.
1927		First to use the mechanical fuel pump.
1928		First to use ball bearing spring shackles.
1928		First full power (straight-through) muffler.
1929		First to use rubber covered steel core steering wheels.
1930		First to use carburettor silencer.
1930		First to use thin steel-backed main bearings, adopted from aircraft design.
1930		First to use free wheeling--the greatest step forward in automotive history since the adoption of self starters.
1930		First to use the automatic spark control advance to improve fuel economy.
1930		First to use helical gears in transmission (high and second).
1930		First to use valve spring vibration dampers.
1933		First to use "heat-dam" pistons.
1934		First to use celeron spoke-type camshaft gear.
1935		First to use planar wheel suspension.
1936		First to use the automatic hill holder.
1937		First to use non-scratch piston rings.
1937		First to use Hancock rotary door latches.
1937		First to use the variable ratio steering gear.
1937		First to use direct acting shock absorbers.
1937		First to have double wall pickup bodies on trucks.
1938		First to use Climatizer - combination heater and ventilator under the front seat.
1940		First manufacturer to receive first place awards in all three divisions of Gilmore Economy run.
1941		First major production use of curved windshield (Sedan-Coupe)
1946		First to introduce post-war automotive styling, the "fender less" slab side design.
1946		First to use self-adjusting brakes.
1946		First to use "back-lighting for its instrument panel.
1947		First to pioneer all-around glass with curved rear windows of 180 degree for full vision.
1947		First in low-price field to use two-piece propeller shaft.
1948		First to use nylon upholstery.
1948		First to use instrument panel design for under-the-hood accessibility on trucks.
1948		First truck with enclosed cab step.
1950		First to use air cooled torque converter transmission.
1950		First to use automatic transmission anti-creep device.
1950		First to use inhibitors for "park" in automatic transmission.
1950		First to use no-rollback feature on automatic transmission.
1951		First to use filtered air to the automatic choke coil.
1951		First to use polythene rear spring liners.
1952		First to use mechanical power steering.
1953		First to use carburettor with hot air passage to prevent idle freeze-up.
1953		First to introduce modern American family sports car styling.
1953		First to use high efficiency filter paper type carburettor air cleaner.
1954		First to use self-centring, self energising brakes.
1954		First to use Sapphire super enamels, which need no waxing.
1955		First to demonstrate and announce interlocking safety door latches.
1956		First to use Safety-eye speedometer.
1956		First to use flared fin brake drums to minimise "fading" due to heat.
1956		First passenger car to use acoustical sound deadening headlining.
1956		First complete line of sports-type family cars by an American auto manufacturer.
1956		First to bring large displacement, high compression engines to the low price field.
1956		First to install limited-slip or power-driving differential on trucks as optional original equipment.
1959		First to introduce totally new dimension in motoring with the Lark.
1960		First to introduce a complete line of body styles in the compact car field, including first convertible.
1961		First to have instrument panel safety padding standard equipment on all passenger car models.
1962		First US auto manufacturer to offer calliper type disc brakes on a full sized car (Avanti).
1962		First to in the industry to install seat belt mountings for four belt installations in every car.
1962		First to introduce built in roll bar (Avanti).
1962		First to make transistorised ignition standard equipment (Avanti R3, R4).
1963		First to install seat belts in the front of every car.
1963		First to introduce sliding roof station wagon.

[JBOYLE]

This might be a stupid question..but is freewheeling the same as overdrive?

[Corvanti]

Jeff, that info would make a great "poster"/large pamphlet, maybe with some pics! if it hasn't already been done...

[DEEPNHOCK]

This might be a stupid question..but is freewheeling the same as overdrive?

Not a stupid question at all!

"Freewheeling" has to do with the sprag clutch (overrunning clutch) put at the output end of the transmission.

While an overdrive transmission has the feature, it is not predicated on overdrive itself.
The first "freewheeling" transmissions were not overdrive.
It was marketed as a mileage item.
While an interesting feature, it never gained widespread popularity.
Especially where there are any long downhill grades.....
Because in that scenario...It's all brakes, and only brakes, with no compression braking from the engine.

A tech guy could probably explain it better...

[DEEPNHOCK]

Jeff, that info would make a great "poster"/large pamphlet, maybe with some pics! if it hasn't already been done...

Google "Studebaker Firsts"
There are several nice pieces out there by chapters already.....
HTIH
Jeff

[JBOYLE]

Thanks for the info.

It would be interesting to have an SDC member look at the helicopter in the NASM to determine what model of clutch it is. The helicopter was made during WWII, so we know some of the answer.
I'm sure the SNM could ask the NASM for quick access. I'd guess the engine/clutch would be easy to get to (once you get byond the ropes and security guards).
Might make an interesting Antique Studebaker Review or Turning Wheels article.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I'm sure you meant WWII, right John?

Piasecki Helicopter designed and successfully sold to the United States Navy a series of tandem rotor helicopters, starting with the HRP-1 of 1944. The HRP-1 was nicknamed the "flying banana" because of the upward angle of the aft fuselage that ensured the large rotors did not strike each other in flight. The name would later be applied to other Piasecki helicopters of similar design, including the H-21.

[gordr]

The sprag clutch used for free wheeling became an essential part of the overdrive, and similar sprags are used in most automatic transmissions today. I doubt the one in the helicopter would be visible without tearing the machine's transmission apart. It's less than 4 inches in diameter, and would have to be housed in a case with lubricant.

[dictator27]

The original freewheeling units could be engaged/disengaged by a button in the centre of the gear shift knob. When the button was depressed the shift lever would move further forward (in second gear) or further to the rear (third gear) to engage the freewheeling feature.

Terry

[JBOYLE]

I'm sure you meant WWII, right John?

Yep.......

[StudeDave57]

'bout half way down the first page of this thread

http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...hp?f=3&t=48608

there are quite a few pics of the H-21 and a few HRP-1s.

Note that first bird is sitting on the White House lawn- who's getting into that thing???




StudeDave '57

[JBOYLE]

Note that first bird is sitting on the White House lawn- who's getting into that thing???

Not Ike. His first helicopter flight was in a Bell 47J Ranger (H-13J) later replaced by H-34s...I've never seen any mention of a president flying in a H-21.