Piasecki HUP Retriever

Last updated
H-25/HUP Retriever
HUP-2 from USS FD Roosevelt (CVA-42) in flight 1959.jpg
A U.S. Navy HUP-2 from USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
RoleUtility helicopter
Manufacturer Piasecki Helicopter
First flightMarch 1948
IntroductionFebruary 1949 [1]
Retired1958 US Army
January 1964 RCN
1964 USN
1965 French Navy
Primary users United States Navy
United States Army
Royal Canadian Navy
French Navy
Produced1949–1954 [2]
Number built339 [2] [ disputed – discuss ]

The Piasecki HUP Retriever/H-25 Army Mule is a compact single radial engine, twin overlapping tandem rotor utility helicopter developed by the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation of Morton, Pennsylvania. Designed to a United States Navy specification, the helicopter was produced from 1949 to 1954, and was also used by the United States Army and foreign navies. The HUP/H-25 was the first helicopter to be produced with an autopilot and also the first to perform a loop.

Contents

Design and development

The design was a product of a competition by the U.S. Navy in 1945 for a compact utility/rescue helicopter to operate from ships including aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. [2] Either 2 [1] or 3 [3] [4] [ disputed – discuss ] prototypes—designated PV-14 by the factory and XHJP-1 by the Navy—were built and subjected to a side-by-side flight evaluation against the 3 prototypes of the Sikorsky XHJS-1; however, the XHJS was fundamentally a scaled-up version of the Sikorsky H-5, and the increased weight and size magnified the design's problems with maintaining proper weight and balance under varying loading conditions. [3] The Piasecki won the competition, [3] and with the introduction of the aircraft configuration letter "U" for Utility in the 1950s, [5] the aircraft was ordered for production as the HUP-1. [1]

The design featured two three-bladed, 35-foot-diameter (11 m) rotors in tandem in which blades could be folded for storage; the relatively small rotor diameter allowed the aircraft to use aircraft carrier elevators with its blades fully extended. [2] The tandem overlapping rotor configuration was a development by Piasecki and was used in future helicopter designs by the company and successors including the H-21, HRB-1/CH-46, and CH-47. The original HUP-1 was powered by a single Continental R-975-34 radial engine, with a take-off rating of 525 hp (391 kW), while later versions used the uprated R-975-42 or R-975-46A with 550 hp (410 kW). [1] To aid search and rescue (SAR) operations, the aircraft was equipped with an overhead winch capable of lifting 400 lb (181 kg), which could lower a rescue sling through an electrically-operated door available after the copilot's seat was folded forward. [2]

During a flight demonstration of its capability to withstand high g-force, the type became the first helicopter to perform a loop, albeit unintentionally. [2]

Operational history

H-25A Army Mule preserved in the US Army Aviation Museum, Alabama Piasecki H-25A 116616 Fort Rucker AL 14.12.02R edited-2.jpg
H-25A Army Mule preserved in the US Army Aviation Museum, Alabama

The aircraft first entered service in February 1949 with the delivery of the first of 32 HUP-1 aircraft to the US Navy. [1] The improved HUP-2 (Piasecki designation PV-18) was soon introduced with a more powerful engine, deletion of the inward-canted horizontal stabilizer endplate fins, and various minor changes in equipment; a sub-variant equipped with dunking sonar for anti-submarine warfare was given the designation HUP-2S. [1] [2] The HUP-2 was the first production helicopter equipped with an autopilot. [2] The US Navy also tested a radio navigation system called Raydist that allowed an unmanned HUP-2 to be directed from a ground station and by radio ordered to hover within five feet (1.5 m) of the desired point. [6] Edo tested a HUP-2 with a fiberglass hull and outrigger floats for amphibious operations. [7]

An upgraded version of the HUP-2 was built for the US Army and designated as the H-25A Army Mule, but most were quickly withdrawn from Army service and converted for naval use under the designation HUP-3. [1] [2] [8]

In 1954, the Royal Canadian Navy received three former US Army H-25A aircraft, which were modified and redesignated on delivery to conform to US Navy HUP-3 standards. [8] [9] [10] The aircraft were used aboard HMCS Labrador for search and rescue and varied utility duties, and were later used to support construction at Distant Early Warning Line radar sites. [8] [10] The helicopters were subsequently posted to NAF Patricia Bay and naval air station HMCS Shearwater; after the last two were stricken from inventory on 18 January 1964, one aircraft was donated to a technical school and the other two were sold as surplus. [8] [10]

The US Army H-25 designation was adopted by the US Navy in 1962 [1] on introduction of the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. The final units were withdrawn from US service in 1964.[ citation needed ] It also served with French Naval Aviation (Aeronavale) from 1953[ citation needed ] to 1965. [2]

A total of 339 aircraft were delivered during the 6-year production run. [2] [ disputed – discuss ] A large number of surplus US Navy aircraft later appeared on the US civil registry, and at least seven were transferred to the French Navy.[ citation needed ]

On 7 November 2009, former US Navy HUP-1, BuNo 124925, [11] civil registration number N183YP, [12] collided with high-voltage power lines in Adelanto, California; the subsequent crash and post-crash fire killed all 3 occupants and substantially damaged the aircraft. [12] Operated in association with Classic Rotors, the accident aircraft was the only airworthy example in the world. [11] The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to "The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during en route flight." [12]

Variants

XHJP-1
Prototype, powered by a 525 hp (391 kW) Continental R-975-34 piston engine, equipped with large sloping endplate fins on the horizontal stabilizers. Piasecki-Vertol designation was PV-14. 2 [1] or 3 [3] [4] produced.[ disputed – discuss ]
HUP-1
Utility transport and search and rescue helicopter for the US Navy, largely similar to XHJP-1, Piasecki designation was PV-18. 32 built. [1] [2]
A U.S. Navy HUP plane guard conducting a rescue in 1953 Piasecki HUP of HU-2 rescues pilot near USS Block Island (CVE-106) on 12 August 1953.jpg
A U.S. Navy HUP plane guard conducting a rescue in 1953
HUP-2
Improved version, 550 hp (410 kW) Continental R-975-42 piston engine, horizontal stabilizer endplate fins eliminated. [1] [2] 165 built for the US Navy, [1] [ disputed – discuss ] 15 for French Aeronavale.[ citation needed ] Redesignated UH-25B in 1962.
HUP-2S
Anti-submarine warfare version of HUP-2 fitted with dunking sonar. 12 built. [2]
HUP-3
Naval utility conversion of H-25A aircraft transferred from US Army: 50 to US Navy, 3 to Royal Canadian Navy. [8]
H-25A Army Mule
Utility transport helicopter for US Army, similar to HUP-2 but powered by a 550 hp (410 kW) Continental R-975-46A piston engine, and fitted with large doors, power-boosted controls, and strengthened floors. [1] [2] 70 were delivered from 1953, but they were unsuitable for front-line use, [13] with 53 transferred to the Royal Canadian and US Navies in 1954–1955, [8] and the remaining helicopters used for training, being withdrawn from army service by 1958. [13]
UH-25B
HUP-2 redesignated after 1962.
UH-25C
HUP-3 redesignated after 1962.

Operators

Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of the United States.svg  United States

Surviving aircraft

Royal Canadian Navy HUP-3 51-16621 at the Canadian Museum of Flight; this aircraft was later traded to Classic Rotors. HUP3-01A.JPG
Royal Canadian Navy HUP-3 51-16621 at the Canadian Museum of Flight; this aircraft was later traded to Classic Rotors.

For surviving aircraft, hyphenated numbers are original US Army Serial Numbers; six-digit numbers are original US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) Bureau Numbers (BuNo). All 50 H-25A/HUP-3 aircraft transferred from the US Army to the US Navy were given new bureau numbers; 3 aircraft transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy were redesignated, but retained their original US Army serial numbers. [8]

Canada

On display

Netherlands

United Kingdom

United States

On display
H-25A Army Mule
HUP-1
UH-25B (HUP-2)
UH-25C (HUP-3)
HUP-3 Retriever on display at the Air Zoo Air Zoo December 2019 094 (Piasecki HUP-3 Retriever).jpg
HUP-3 Retriever on display at the Air Zoo
Under restoration or in storage
UH-25B (HUP-2)
UH-25C (HUP-3)

Specifications (HUP-2)

Piasecki H-25 orthographical image.svg

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1956–57. [39]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p.461.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "HUP-1 Retriever/H-25 Army Mule Helicopter". boeing.com. Boeing . Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Devine, Vinny (10 April 2013). "S-53 (U.S.Navy (XHJS-1)". Sikorsky Product History. Igor Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Piasecki PV-14 XHJP-1 US Navy". 1000aircraftphotos.com. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Swanborough and Bowers 1976, pp.8–9.
  6. ↑ Hearst Magazines (May 1954). "Radio Waves Hold Helicopter In Fixed Hovering Position". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 122.
  7. ↑ "Picture News: Watertight hull makes helicopter amphibious". Popular Science . Vol. 172, no. 2. February 1958. p. 149.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Walker, R.W.R. "Royal Canadian Navy – HUP detailed list". Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "Piasecki HUP-3". ingeniumcanada.org. Ingenium Canada - Canada Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Piasecki HUP-3". www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca. Shearwater Aviation Museum. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  11. 1 2 Allnutt, Richard Mallory (25 December 2009). "Piasecki crash claims three lives". Aircraft Illustrated. Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Ltd. ISSN   0002-2675.
  12. 1 2 3 NTSB Aviation Investigation Final Report (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. 18 July 2011. WPR10LA048. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  13. 1 2 Harding 1990, pp. 197–198.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Piasecki H-25 History". Boeing. Archived from the original on 2012-10-29. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  15. ↑ "Piasecki PV-18 (HUP/H-25/UH-25) (Photo)". pictaero.com. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  16. 1 2 Skaarup, Howard (2009). Canadian Warplanes. Bloomington, Indiana: iUniverse. p. 520. ISBN   978-1-4401-6758-4.
  17. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/51-16623." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  18. ↑ Canada Aviation and Space Museum. "Piasecki HUP-3". techno-science.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "De helikopter" [The helicopter]. www.baris.nl (in Dutch). Baris Groep. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  20. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/622 RCN." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/51-16616." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/124915." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 25 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/128479." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "Piasecki HUP-2 "Retriever"". Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  25. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/128519." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  26. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/128596." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/130059." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/130082." Daily Breeze Retrieved: 25 April 2017.
  29. ↑ Pacific Battleship Center (2019). "New Exhibits". pacificbattleship.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  30. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/147595." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  31. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/147600". www.aerialvisuals.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  32. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/147607." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  33. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/147628." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  34. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (1 November 2018). "N-Number Inquiry Results N7089F" . Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  35. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (16 December 2019). "Manufacturer Inquiry Results Piasecki". Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  36. 1 2 "Bradley - Museum, Connecticut" . Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  37. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/130053." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 15 July 2021.
  38. ↑ "Piasecki HUP Retriever/147610." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 5 May 2016.
  39. ↑ Bridgman 1956, p. 345.
  40. ↑ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
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