Kaman HH-43 Huskie

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HH-43 Huskie
Kaman HH-43B Huskie USAF.jpg
HH-43B Huskie of the United States Air Force
Role Firefighting/rescue
Manufacturer Kaman Aircraft
First flight 21 April 1953
Retired Early 1970s
Status Retired
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
Number built 193

The Kaman HH-43 Huskie was a helicopter with intermeshing rotors used by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps from the 1950s until the 1970s. It was primarily used for aircraft firefighting and rescue in the close vicinity of air bases, but was later used as a short-range overland search and rescue aircraft during the Vietnam War.

Under the aircraft designation system used by the U.S. Navy pre-1962, Navy and U.S. Marine Corps versions were originally designated as the HTK, HOK or HUK, for their use as training, observation or utility aircraft, respectively.

Design and development[]

In 1947 Anton Flettner, a German aviation engineer, was brought to New York in the United States as part of Operation Paperclip.[1] He was the developer of Germany's Flettner Fl 282 "Kolibri" (Hummingbird), a helicopter employing the "synchropter" principle of intermeshing rotors, a unique design principle that dispenses with the need for a tail rotor. Flettner settled in the US and became the chief designer of the Kaman company, where he designed new helicopters using the synchropter principle.

The Huskie had an unusual intermeshing contra-rotating twin-rotor arrangement with control effected by servo-flaps. The first prototype flew in 1947 and was adopted by the US Navy as the HTK-1 with a 240 hp (180 kW) Lycoming O-435-4 flat-six piston engine. In 1954, in an experiment by Kaman and the US Navy, one HTK-1 was modified and flew with its piston engine replaced by two turbine engines, becoming the world's first twin-turbine helicopter.[2] A much more powerful 600 hp (450 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial piston engine was used for the far heavier HOK-1, HUK-1, and H-43A versions for the Marines, Navy, and Air Force, respectively. The Air Force later adopted versions with a single turboshaft engine: the HH-43B and HH-43F.

Operational history[]

This aircraft saw use in the Vietnam War with several detachments of the Pacific Air Rescue Center, the 33d, 36th, 37th, and 38th Air Rescue Squadrons, and the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, where the aircraft was known by its call sign "Pedro". During the war, the two-pilot HH-43 Huskie flew more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined, because of its unique hovering capability. The HH-43 was eventually replaced by newer aircraft in the early 1970s.[3]

Variants[]

A USAF Huskie aids a practice firefighting operation at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam in 1968
K-240
company designation from HTK-1/TH-43E
K-600
proposed civilian counterpart of HOK-1[4]
K-600-3
civilian counterpart of H-43B[4]
K-600-4
company designation of HOK-3 development[4]
K-600-5
HH-43F[5]
XHTK-1
two two-seat aircraft for evaluation
HTK-1
three-seat production version powered by a 240 hp (180 kW) Lycoming O-435-4 flat-six piston engine for the United States Navy,[6][7] later became TH-43E, 29 built
XHTK-1G
one example for evaluation by the United States Coast Guard
HTK-1K
one example for static tests as a drone
XHOK-1
prototype of United States Marine Corps version, two built
HOK-1
United States Marine Corps version powered by a 600 hp R-1340-48 Wasp radial piston engine; later became OH-43D, 81 built
HOK-3
proposed development powered by a Blackburn-Turbomeca Twin Turmo 600 turboshaft engine.[4]
HUK-1
United States Navy version of the HOK-1 with R-1340-52 radial piston engine; later became UH-43C, 24 built
H-43A
USAF version of the HOK-1; later became the HH-43A, 18 built
HH-43A
post-1962 designation of the H-43A
H-43B
H-43A powered by an 860 shp Lycoming T-53-L-1B turboshaft engine, three-seats and full rescue equipment; later became HH-43B, 200-built
HH-43B
post-1962 designation of the H-43B
UH-43C
post-1962 designation of the HUK-1
OH-43D
post-1962 designation of the HOK-1
TH-43E
post-1962 designation of the HTK-1
HH-43F
HH-43B powered by an 825 shp T-53-L-11A turboshaft engine with reduced diameter rotors, 42 built and conversions from HH-43B
QH-43G
One OH-43D converted to drone configuration

Operators[]

One of 12 HH-43 Huskies acquired by Imperial Iranian Air Force in 1965
A Thai Kaman HH.34B at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum (2014)
 Burma
 Colombia
State Flag of Iran (1964).svg
 Morocco
 Pakistan
 Thailand
 United States

Surviving aircraft[]

In addition to those on static display and the airworthy example at the Olympic Flight Museum, many H-43s are still in use with private owners.[citation needed]

Burma
Germany
Pakistan
Thailand
United Kingdom
  • 62-4535 – HH-43B under restoration at the Midland Air Museum in Baginton, Warwickshire. This airframe is one of only two examples on display in the United Kingdom.[21][25]
United States
Kaman HOK-1 (OH-43D) Huskie on display at Pima Air & Space Museum (March 2006)

Specifications (HH-43F / K-600-5)[]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1965-66,[5] National Museum of the United States Air Force : Kaman HH-43B Huskie[16]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 flight crew + 2 rescue crew
  • Capacity: 3,970 lb (1,801 kg) maximum payload
  • Length: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) fuselage
  • Height: 15 ft 6.5 in (4.737 m) to tip of highest blade
12 ft 7 in (4 m) to top of rotor pylons
  • Empty weight: 4,620 lb (2,096 kg)
  • Gross weight: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,150 lb (4,150 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 350 US gal (291 imp gal; 1,325 l)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming T53-L-11A turboshaft engine, 825 shp (615 kW) (de-rated from 1,150 shp (858 kW))
  • Main rotor diameter: 2 × 47 ft 0 in (14.33 m)
  • Main rotor area: 3,470.34 sq ft (322.405 m2)
  • Blade section: - root: NACA 23012; tip: NACA 23011[45]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
  • Range: 504 mi (811 km, 438 nmi) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m) and 8,270 lb (3,751 kg) TOW
  • Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
  • Hover ceiling IGE: 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
  • Hover ceiling OGE: 16,000 ft (4,877 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,800 ft/min (9.1 m/s)

See also[]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[]

Notes
  1. ^ Boyne, Walter J. (2011). How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare. Pelican Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 1-58980-700-6.
  2. ^ "Twin Turborotor Helicopter." Popular Mechanics, August 1954, p. 139.
  3. ^ "Vietnam Air Losses", Chris Hobson, Midland Publishing, Hinckley, LE10 3EY, UK, c2001, P. 258, ISBN 1-85780-115-6
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1958). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. pp. 320–321.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1965). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1965-66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. pp. 249–250.
  6. ^ AN 01-260HAA-1 Pilot's Handbook: Navy Model HTK-1 Helicopters. U.S. Navy. 1 September 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Kaman HTK-1 (Helicopter)". Tillamook Air Museum. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. ^ "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market - Page 49". flightglobal.com. July 1968. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  9. ^ "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market - Page 50". flightglobal.com. July 1968. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  10. ^ "IIAF HISTORY". Copyright © 1999-2012 IIAF.net. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Iran Air Force HH-43F Huskie". Demand media. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 579". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Decommissioned Aircraft PAKISTAN AIR FORCE". Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  14. ^ "ROYAL (Archives) THAI AIR FORCE" (PDF). RTAF.af. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Kaman HH-43B Huskie (K-600)". Demand media. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "Kaman HH-43B Huskie". National Museum of the United States Air Force™. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  17. ^ "Kaman HOK-1 (OH-43D) Huskie US MARINES". H43-huskie.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Kaman HUK-1 (UH-43C) Huskie US NAVY". H43-huskie.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Preservation Notes - Myanmar". Air-Britain News. Air-Britain: 380. March 2014.
  20. ^ "Kaman HH-43F HUSKIE". Das Hubschraubermuseum Buckeburg. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Ragay, Johan (25 August 2016). "PRESERVED Kaman H-43 Huskie". Ragay.nl. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  22. ^ "Aerial Viuals - Airframe Dossier - Kaman H-43, s/n 62-4556 PakAF, c/n 182". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  23. ^ "Building 5:Helicopters and last propeller fighter". Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Kaman HH-43B Huskie, s/n H5-2/05 RTAF, c/n 115". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Aircraft Listing". Midland Air Museum. Midland Air Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  26. ^ "Kaman HH-43F 'Huskie'". New England Air Museum. New England Air Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  27. ^ "Aircraft". Tillamook Air Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  28. ^ "Airframe Dossier - KamanH-43, s/n 129313 USN". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  29. ^ "HUSKIE [139974]". Pima Air & Space Museum. Pimaair.org. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  30. ^ "139982". Flickr. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  31. ^ "Aircraft Listing" (PDF). Flying Leathernecks. Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  32. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Kaman OH-43D Huskie, s/n 139990 USN, c/r N5190Q". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  33. ^ Mock, Stephen P. (July 2005). "Pedro's Big Move". Pedro News. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  34. ^ "HH-43F "HUSKIE"". Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  35. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Kaman HH-43F Huskie, s/n 59-1578 USAF". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  36. ^ "Kaman HH-43B Huskie". National Museum of the US Air Force. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  37. ^ "OUR COLLECTION". Castle Air Museum. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  38. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Kaman HH-43F Huskie, s/n 62-4513 USAF, c/n 139". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  39. ^ "HUSKIE [62-4531]". Pima Air & Space Museum. Pimaair.org. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  40. ^ "HH-43B Huskie". Air Mobility Command Museum. AMC Museum Foundation, Inc. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  41. ^ "HH-43B "Huskie"". Hill Air Force Base. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  42. ^ "HH-43 Huskie". Olympic Flight Museum. Olympic Flight Museum. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  43. ^ "Airframe Dossier - KamanH-43, s/n 64-17558 USAF, c/r N4069R". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  44. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N4069R]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  45. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
  • Chiles, James R. The God Machine: From Boomerangs to Black Hawks: The Story of the Helicopter. New York: Bantam Books, 2007. ISBN 0-553-80447-2.
  • Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920: Volume II. London: Putnam, 1997. ISBN 0-85177-827-5.
  • Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004. Fyshwick, Canberra, Act, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd., 2003, p. 155. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  • Munson, Kenneth. Helicopters and other Rotorcraft since 1907. London: Blandford Publishing, 1968. ISBN 978-0-7137-0493-8.
  • Thicknesse, P. Military Rotorcraft (Brassey's World Military Technology series). London: Brassey's, 2000. ISBN 1-85753-325-9.
  • Wragg, David W. Helicopters at War: A Pictorial History. London: R. Hale, 1983. ISBN 0-7090-0858-9.

External links[]

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