Piasecki H-21

H-21 Shawnee/Workhorse
A US Army Piasecki H-21
General information
TypeMilitary transport helicopter
National originUnited States
ManufacturerPiasecki Helicopter
StatusRetired
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number built707
History
Manufactured1952–1959
First flight11 April 1952
Retired1967
Developed fromPiasecki HRP Rescuer

The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee is an American helicopter, the fourth of a line of tandem rotor helicopters designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter (later Boeing Vertol). Commonly called "the flying banana", it was a multi-mission helicopter, capable of being fitted with wheels, skis or floats.

The H-21 was originally developed by Piasecki as an Arctic rescue helicopter. The H-21 had cold-weather features permitting operation at temperatures as low as −65 °F (−54 °C) and could be routinely maintained in severe cold weather environments.