HUP-2 landing on the deck of the CV Arromanches. (ECPA)
HUP-2 landing on the deck of the CV Arromanches. (ECPA)
LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER
Piasecki's response to a US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics requirement issued in 1945 for a helicopter designed specifically for operations at sea, the HUP was designed to be both compact enough to fit aboard a variety of ships, yet capable of performing vertical replenishment, casevac, rescue and plane-guard duties. Known for its work with tandem rotor designs, it therefore came as no surprise when Piasecki adopted just such a layout for the HUP, which was placed into series production in 1948 following receipt of an order for 22 (later increase to 32) HUP-1 Retrievers. Crewed by two pilots and with space for five seated passengers or three stretchers, the HUP-1s made their fleet debut in early 1949. Continued development work by Piasecki resulted in the Sperry autopilot-equipped HUP-2, of which 165 were delivered (some of which were kitted out with ASW equipment, being duly designated HUP-2S). Army interest in the navy helicopter saw the company produce the H-25A, which had boosted flight controls and a strong cargo floor. Seventy were constructed alongside the final navy order for fifty HUP-3s (three of which were supplied to the Canadian Navy). Surviving HUP-2/ 3s remained in US Navy/ Marine Corps service long enough to be redesignated UH-25B/ Cs respectively in 1962, although they were finally retired soon after. The helicopter made its first flight in March 1948. It was equipped with two R-975-42/ -46A engines.
The French Navy received nineteen HUP-2s between 1953 and 1954, which were affected to the 10S (1953-1956), 20S (1956), 23S (1954-1965) and the 58S (1953-1959) squadrons. They were used for SAR, rescue ("Pedro"), medevac and other duties aboard French CVs (CVE Dixmude, CVL Lafayette, CVL Bois-Belleau, CV Arromanches, CV Clemenceau and CV Foch). Surviving examples served until 1965.
Specifications :
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