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Kaman won a US Air Force contract in 1956 for a Crash/Rescue/Fire-Fighting helicopter. Designated the H-43A the first Huskies were delivered in 1958 and eighteen of these piston-powered helicopters were delivered until 1959 when Kaman switched entirely to turbine power.
Designated the H-43B/HH-43B, the turbine-powered Huskie was built in 1958 and lasted nine years. Powered by a Lycoming T53-L-1B the helicopters continued to be used in the USAF Crash/Rescue role. Later addition of an uprated Lycoming T53-L-11A engine re-designated the helicopter the HH-43F and a total of thirty-seven HH-43Fs were built up to 1968. The Kaman HH-43B set a world's altitude record for helicopters with a flight to 9850m and three world's time-of-climb records to 3000m, 6000m, and 9000m. P.Allen "The Helicopter", 1996
Charles H. Kaman established the Kaman Aircraft Corporation in December 1945 to manufacture a new helicopter rotor and control system of his own design. Development of the basic intermeshing rotor system and its servo flap control was completed in late 1946 and the first experimental Kaman K-125A helicopter was flown on 15 January 1947. From it was evolved first the K-190, flown in 1948, and then the K-225 three-seat utility helicopter; two examples of the K-225 were acquired by the US Navy in 1950. Used for evaluation purposes, they led to an initial contract for 29 HTK-1 trainers which, in 1962, were redesignated TH-43E. Contemporary with production of the HTK-1, Kaman developed the K-600, ordered for service with the US Marine Corps and US Navy under the respective designations HOK-1 and HUK-1; these were redesignated UH-43C and OH-43D in 1962. Eighteen aircraft similar to the US Navy's HUK-1s were also acquired by the US Air Force under the designation H-43A Huskie.
One HOK-1 was flown as a testbed aircraft with an Avco Lycoming XT53 turboshaft engine, and service testing confirmed the considerable performance improvement offered by this powerplant. This led to the H-43B, first flown on 13 December 1958, which became the major production version of the Huskie with a total of 193 built; of this number 31 were supplied under the US Military Assistance Program to Burma (12), Colombia (6), Morocco (4), Pakistan (6) and Thailand (3). Slightly larger than the earlier H-43A (later HH-43A), the H-43B (later HH-43B) had a cabin seating up to eight passengers and was powered by a 615kW Avco Lycoming T53-L-1B turboshaft engine. Final production version was the HH-43F (40 built for the USAF and 17 for Iran). Generally similar to the HH-43B airframe, except for internal rearrangement to seat 11 passengers, this last version of the Huskie had an 858kW Lycoming T53-L-11A derated to 615kW for improved performance in 'hot-and-high' conditions.
An interesting variant of the Huskie family derived from a conversion of one of the original K-225s. Under US Navy contract, Kaman installed in this aircraft a 130kW Boeing YT50 (Model 502-2) gas-turbine engine. When first flown with this powerplant on 10 December 1951, this was the first helicopter in the world to have its rotors powered by a turbine engine. D.Donald "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft", 1997
FACTS AND FIGURES- Ex-US Huskies have served with the
air forces of Burma, Colombia, Morocco,
Pakistan and Thailand. - The Huskie established seven world
records using its T53-1 engine. - The first flight of the prototype in this
series took place on 13 December 1958. - The USAF received 263 Huskies
(18 H-43As, 203 HH-43Bs and
42 HH-43Fs) between 1958 and 1968. - The rescue hoist of the Huskie has a
capacity of 272kg for lifting personnel. - A few civilian Huskies remain in use
undertaking logging operations.
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A Navy HOK-1 (later OH-43D) leads a flight of Kaman helicopters - an HTK-1 fitted with floats, the turboshaft-powered K-225, and the second K-225 prototype
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A U.S. Air Force HH-43B Huskie practices rescue operations at an air base in South Vietnam during 1966. Note the exhaust pipe projecting over the tail assembly, four tail fins, wheel skids for operation in swamps or marshes, and two men coming aboard via the rescue hoist. The HH-43s were used mainly for base operations and rarely for combat rescues in Vietnam
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| Technical data for Kaman H-43F "Huskie"
Crew: 1,
passengers: 11,
engine: 1 x Lycoming T53-L-11A turboshaft, rated at 850kW,
rotor diameter: 14.33m,
fuselage length: 7.67m,
height: 3.84m,
width: 4.58m,
take-off weight: 4150kg,
empty weight: 2095kg,
max speed: 193km/h,
cruising speed: 177km/h,
rate of climb: 9.15m/s,
service ceiling: 7010m,
range: 810km
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| MSGT Lichnovsky Retired, e-mail, 16.03.2015 | reply |
Ref. SMSgt Davies on the Pedro mishap at Utapao, Thai. in 1968 /69. I was second in command at Uatpao Pararescue section and was on the second HH43 that responded to the crash. One Pararescueman, SGT. Tommy Miles survived the crash but spent quit a bit of time in hospital but made a full recovery. | | Larry Hopkins, e-mail, 03.03.2015 | reply |
Hopkins,I was one of the first fireman-rescue man when they came to Germany. from 1962 -1964. The two years were the best of my time in the Air Forces.The crews were tight and did so many thing together. I would relive those days again in a heart beat. | | Larry Hopkins, e-mail, 03.03.2015 | reply |
Hopkins | | Carol Kohler & Gary Kohler, e-mail, 27.02.2015 | reply |
My father who owned F & F Tool Company in Ludlow Mass. made parts for the Huskie and a lot of times I took the parts to be heat treated. As time went by I met someone who worked in the model making shop under Pete Kulas and Mr. Salensky making the blades for the HH43 Huskie. | | Bart Anderson, e-mail, 27.03.2014 | reply |
I crewed hh43's at Eglin AFB and at Moody Airplane Patch. I loved flying on Pedro! I was selected to accompany my Helo To Eglin AFB for the prototype of the conversion to HH43F by a civilian team. The only thing I was allowed to do was sit in a chair and answer all the technical questions they had. I could do none of the work as it was a timed project. | | jeff kelly, e-mail, 07.01.2013 | reply |
Jeff Masterman, you were probably my replacement at Woodbridge in 1969, which was the year I returned to the States. I was there 3 years and in Clark AFB, PI for 1.5 years prior. Great job and memories. | | Ronnie Scott, e-mail, 04.01.2013 | reply |
I was in air rescue at Chaumont France from 1962 until 1964 we would put are H43B on transports and go to places we were needed. I would like to here from any of the Airmen that was there | | Bill Simpson, e-mail, 26.09.2014 | reply |
I was stationed at George AFB Nov 67 - May 69 Det 12 Air Rescue as an Airman Admin Clerk overseeing all aspects with records and training for all our personnel on the HH-43B. What great fond memories! Few of guys I remember in my Detachment. Lt Col Butcher, Maj Roy Drebelbis, Capt Troy Irving, Capt Gammon, CMSgt Donato, MSgt Chuck Elliott, SSgt Tom Alves, SSgt Mike Hall, Sgt Mike Fagan, Sgt Jim Culbreath, Sgt Rick McGillivery, and several more that I can't recall. I was fortunate to fly on Pedro many times. If anyone has info for the above men I mention would love to receive any updates, etc. Unfortunately during research I discovered Lt Col Butcher passed away couple yrs ago living in AR retired! Also, a cool medic I recall last name Looney! We also had a few PJ's to visit and train with our team. Some wild n crazy dudes! I discharged 9 /72. Big mistake I should have stayed for 20! Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded comments. Hope these names will trigger someone else memory! | | Neil McCutchan, e-mail, 26.09.2014 | reply |
Just got back from Pedro Rescue Helicopter Assoc. (PRHA) reunion in Colorado. Installed monument to crewmembers at USAF Academy. Flew them 63-67. |
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| | William G Wells Jr., e-mail, 28.09.2014 | reply |
My father was a Tech Rep at Kaman for many years working under Mr. Bob Bassett. I remember him bringing home a working model kit of the Huskie. He was working out of Stead AFB in Reno. I would like to know if it is at all possible to obtain a model kit. Or even if their available anywhere, as I seem to have found myself in Reno for a period of time. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou | | Dave Olin, e-mail, 11.10.2014 | reply |
Retired Sergeant. Joined Fire /Rescue at James Connally A.F.B. 61 /62. April 1963 was sent to Ubon Thailand. No H43s there. THAI A.F. were flying TF-28s. Australian A.F. were flying F-86s. USAF had no aircraft there yet. 6 months in Ubon, then to TAKHLI for 6 mths. No H43. USAF was flying F-100s out of Clovis, N.M. Back to the states to Custer A.F.S. Home of NORAD. While there I was sent TDY to Selfridge A.F.B. to join H-43 crew for a short time. That was the last time for me and the H43. I enjoyed it very much. Good crews and the pilots were tops. Thanks! | | bobbygaskins, e-mail, 26.10.2014 | reply |
Assigned to 37th A.R.S. DaNang A.B. from 1971 To 1972. Flew over 100 missions. DFC, and 5 Air medals. Flew with Maj. Lockhard, Capt Ames, Ssgt Newman, Ssgt Simmons, and Other. Question: In 2006 i came down with Prostate Cancer. Did anyone else have the same problems? Tsgt Bobby Gaskins retired. | | bobbygaskins, e-mail, 26.10.2014 | reply |
Assigned to 37th A.R.S. DaNang A.B. from 1971 To 1972. Flew over 100 missions. DFC, and 5 Air medals. Flew with Maj. Lockhard, Capt Ames, Ssgt Newman, Ssgt Simmons, and Other. Question: In 2006 i came down with Prostate Cancer. Did anyone else have the same problems? Tsgt Bobby Gaskins retired. | | dwayne bright, e-mail, 08.11.2014 | reply |
My father Staff Sergeant William Kenneth Bright was with the 43th Rescue Detachment based at Laughlin AFB in or around 1971. I have the newspaper from August 19,1971 where they flew in on a H-43 and dropped food in and flew some children out that had been stranded for 10 days. Does anyone have any more information or maybe even served at the same time | | Wayne Kee, e-mail, 18.09.2013 | reply |
Fly Pedro as Airborne Firefighter at Craig AFB AL, and Zaragoza AB Spain. Served with Pedro at Tuy Hoa, but never flew there. Greatest time of my life. Retired 1990 as CMSgt. | | John Ferren, e-mail, 03.08.2010 | reply |
Firefighter on pedro71 AT torrejon ab spain 1967-68.What a thrill | | jeff kelly, e-mail, 29.08.2010 | reply |
I was also a fire fighter /rescue specialist on the HH43 at Clark AFB, PI., during 65 /66 and again at RAF Bentwaters /Woodbridge, England 67 /68. Great job! | thank you for doing service, everyone to the usa! | | Mike Bauer, e-mail, 27.10.2010 | reply |
Flew on Pedro in Guam . . . best time I spent in the AF.
I was in Guam Dec 1969 - May 1971.
Would love to hear from anyone in my group . . . Det 12 | | Bob Reeves, Lt Col, e-mail, 02.11.2010 | reply |
MSGT Steve Mock was "right on" in his correction that the HH-43B & F was the first USAF Rescue helicopter in Southest Asia and having more saves than all USAF combat choppers. We even went into North Vietnam as close as 25 miles from Hanoi. The Pedro was probably the first to experience in-flight refueling. 55 gal drums were loaded into the cabin and fed into the main fuel tanks while airborne, thus extending the range considerably! When the powers to be discovered this they immediately terminated this risky business(Regardless, this is a great example of innovation and extremes the aircrews went to to save lives). I flew Pedros for 16 years, nearly 2,000 hrs, in and out of combat without even a serious incident. The aircrew members were the most dedicated and proficient professionals I served with in my 30 year career. I even sacrificed a promotion to
stick by Pedro to her end. A decision I never regret! "That Other's May Live" |
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Virtual Aircraft Museum
All the World's Rotorcraft
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Wish I had known about this. My father was a rescue tech at Clovis NM back in the 70s. He lives 10 minutes from the USAF Academy. where can I sign him up? he is always talking about his days on the Pedro.
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