Open: Saturday & Sunday: 10:30am to 4:00pm, Wednesday – Friday: 10:30am to 3:00pm.
QH-50C Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter “D.A.S.H. Drone”
This type of remote controlled aircraft was designed to extend the range of a US Navy frigate or destroyer’s ability to detect submarines, and then remotely deliver anti-submarine warfare weapons in the form of nuclear torpedoes. It was the first unmanned helicopter, and the first helicopter that could deliver nuclear armaments. After its retirement, it was kept in storage as a contingency reserve for use in the event of a national emergency. There were 758 D.A.S.H. Drones produced.
This aircraft loan courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.
Aircraft Specifications
Bureau #: DS-1289
Built: 1967
Crew: None
Passengers: None
Retired: 1970
Received: 2013
Restored by: N/A
Restored: N/A
Length: 12′ 11″
Height: 9′ 8″
Rotospan: 20′ 0″
Weight Empty: 1,154 lbs
Weight Loaded: 2,285 lbs
Powerplant: Boeing T50-BO-8A Turboshaft; drives 2 X two-bladed main rotors in a co-axial configuration
Horsepower: 300hp
Max Speed: 80 knots (92mph)
Range: 71 nautical miles (82 miles)
Manufacturer: Gyrodyne Company of America
Armarment: 2 Mk44 Torpedoes or 1 Mk46 Torpedo
Ordnance:
Ceiling: 16,400′ ft
Status: On Display
Fairchild-Republic A10 “Thunderbolt” or “Warthog”
McDonnell-Douglas A4 “Skyhawk”
Grumman C-1A “Trader”
McDonnell-Douglass F/A-18A “Hornet”
Chance-Vought F7U-3 “Cutlass”
Republic F-84F “Thunderstreak”
Vought F8U-1 “Crusader”
Grumman F9F-2 “Panther”
North American FJ-4B “Fury”
Fokker D.VIII “Eindecker”
Bell H-13G “Sioux”
Piasecki HUP-2 “Retriever”
Pitcairn PA-8 “Super Mailwing”
Lockheed P-3B “Orion”
Kaman SH-2G “Sea Sprite”
Beechcraft T-34B “Mentor”
Lockheed P-80C / TV-1 “Shooting Star”
Bell UH-1V Iroquois “Huey”
Sikorsky UH-34J “Sea Bat” and “Sea Horse”
Convair YF-2Y “Sea Dart”
QH-50C Drone Anti-Sub Helicopter “D.A.S.H.”
McDonnell Douglas F-4A“Phantom”
The Exhibition
Located in Horsham Pennsylvania, The Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum has a unique and historically significant collection of aircraft and artifacts. In addition to the aircraft, helicopters, and jets, our exhibition includes flight helmets, vintage and modern aviation flight gear, engines, air to air missiles, bombs, detailed aircraft models, vintage Martin Baker ejection seats, and flight simulators. Honoring those who have served our Nation, we are privileged to have an extensive collection of military service medals.
Our collection includes aircraft from the early days of flight, The First World War, World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, and the ongoing defense of our Nation. Simply put, Wings of Aviation has one of the greatest collections of restored aircraft in the northeast.
Current Exhibit:
Consistently restoring and adding new aircraft to our collection, our exhibit includes the McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A, McDonnell Douglas F-4A Phantom, and Bell UH-1V “Huey”. Our indoor collection includes aircraft from the early days of flight, helicopters, aircraft from World War I, engines, helmets, Medals of honor, detailed models, flight gear, flight simulators, and more.
While the name Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum has a relatively short history, the beginnings of displaying aircraft at Willow Grove began shortly after World War II. In May 1946, Lieutenant-Commander David Ascher arrived at Naval Air Station Willow Grove… Read More
Located in Horsham Pennsylvania, Wings of Freedom is open year-round Wednesday through Sunday. We are located along Route 611 between Maple Avenue and County Line Road in Horsham, approximately thirty minutes north of Philadelphia. Plan Your Visit
THE MUSEUM | THE EXHIBIT | PLAN YOUR VISIT | HISTORY | LOCATION | MEMBERSHIP | DONATE | Admission & TOURS
The Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum is open all year, with walk-ins always welcome, guided visits, and tours for large groups. Located in Montgomery County, we are right next door to Bucks, Delco, and Chester Counties, close to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York. With nature, parks, eateries, dining establishments, shopping, and theme parks close to the museum, Wings of Aviation is the perfect destination or ingredient of a family day out.
