The XH-17 "Flying Crane" was the first helicopter project for the Hughes aircraft division that became part of McDonnell Douglas in 1984. The giant helicopter was flight tested in Culver City, Calif. over a three-year period beginning in 1952. The XH-17, which had a two-bladed main rotor system with a diameter of 134 feet, was capable of flying at a gross weight of more than 50,000 pounds.