HUP Retriever

• Single-engined, twin-rotor • ‘Planeguard’ • Utility helicopter

О no of the first helicopters to serve aboard US Navy warships, the HUP Retriever was one of several tandem, twin-rotor helicopters designed by rotary-wing pioneer Frank Piasccki in tho late-1940s and 1950s. Intended primarily for shore duty as a cargo hauler (in which rolo it also flew with the US Army), it is best remembered for its naval service and for rescuing many pilots who might otherwise have been lost at sea.

Piasecki HUP Retriever

la Canadian colours with VH-21 ►

The Royal Canadian Navy roceived three HUP-3s from the US Navy which wore operated by squadron VH-21. These wero among 50 ex-US Army H-25As transferred as surplus to the Navy.

FACTS AND FIGURES

> Tho Piasecki Aircraft Corp. of Morton, Pennsylvania, evolvod Into today’s Booing Helicopter Company.

> Tho first US Navy HUPs wore delivered to squadron HU-2 In Fobruary 1951.

> A Rotriovor could hovor at 15 m (50 ft.) and lift an airman weighing 75 kg (165 lb.).

>■ After being transferred to reserve units, some HUPS were retained as rescuo aircraft with an orange colour scheme.

► PV-18 production totalled 339, including 70 H-25s for tho US Army.

► Tho Army’s H-25s wore procured by the USAF on the Army’s behalf.