Back Kaman H-43 "Huskie"
1956

Kaman H-43 "Huskie"

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

Kaman H-43 "Huskie"

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

Kaman H-43 "Huskie"

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.


Photo Gallery 

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

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

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

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140 141-160
TONY FIDUCIA, e-mail, 10.12.2013reply

I PROUDLY SERVED AS A MEDIC ON PEDRO AT TON SAN NHUT AND BIEN HOA AIR BASES FROM 1971-72.
ALTHOUGH I AM 69 YEARS OLD IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY AND EVERY TIME I SEE A CHOPPER FLYING OVERHEAD IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES.
WISH I COULD GO ON ONE MORE MISSION.
ANTHONY M. FIDUCIA, SSGT, USAF

John Rennie, e-mail, 07.07.2013reply

As a child I flew as a passenger in the Imperial Iranian Air Force IIAF HH-43F, from Vadati Airbase to Dez Dam in Iran on numerous occasions. One day General Janbani flew us to the VIP Dan site. If I remember correctly one of these crashed at the VIP landing site while being piloted by (I do not know his rank)Mr. Kananpour. I still have parts of the rotar blades from this crash. Can anyone elaborate on what caused this crash and how it happened?

Rebecca VanScoder, e-mail, 07.08.2012reply

Does anyone know if there is a book of photographs of the HH-43 huskie? There are several great action shots on many different websites -would be great if somewhere all of these great photos are compiled into one book. My dad was a pilot and flew this aircraft in Vietnam and Korean wars. I think he would love to receive such a book for his birthday at the end of this month, if such a book exists!

Jeff Masterman, e-mail, 18.08.2012reply

I was an Airborne Fighter /Rescue Specialist on the HH-43B at RAF Woodbridge, England from 1969 to 1971.

steven l sorensen, e-mail, 11.01.2014reply

I was a crew chief on the HH43 while stationed at McChord afb from 1967-1969. We flew Mt rescue missions to Mt ranier and provided base support . Loved the job. We Moved to Edwards afb. After that i left with 8 yrs of service.Also served in Udorn Thiland and taegue south Korea.

Roland R. LaFrance, Sr., e-mail, 11.04.2013reply

I wanted so much to get into the "Pedro" / Huskie U.S.A.F. firefighter program, but it was phased out before I could. If only I had been born sooner! I knew one firefighter, whose last name was Novotny, from Loring who went to the school, and he must have been in one of the last classes, in 1972.

dave rehnberg, e-mail, 16.04.2013reply

i loved that bird. was a a902 med tec working lbr and crash resuce 64 thru 68. what a joy to fly. most dont believe we could be airborn in 60 seconds which included running from ready room to our bird. chocs out, clear l, clear r, clear back...liftoff. ya..........

don Hillberg, e-mail, 01.06.2010reply

KAMAN DID NOT REVERSE ENGENEER THE HELICOPTER AFTER THE FLENTNER GERMAN SHIP! 1 Kaman was design engeneer for Sikorsky in the mid 30s Kaman was fired /quit Sikorsky for his blade servo idea the german ship was smaller,differant controls,differant rotor masts,differant power plants ,The Flettner ship pilot in front gunner in back Kaman both in front ,The size and configurations all wrong,TWO TOTALY Differant Machines just because the rotors sync do not make it a German idea, Get the Facts not fiction,Charlie Kaman had no contact with the other side,10+ years met the man at HAI in L.A. KAMAN DID NOT COPY GERMANS!!!!!

John Bradberry, e-mail, 30.09.2012reply

I was stationed Osan AB,Korea 70-71. Flew with buddy also named John. Both Attached to 6045th USAF Hosp.

jerry wolford, e-mail, 03.05.2013reply

i was assigned to the HH43B at minot AFB, North Dakota in 1964. we was the first to go to vietnam in aug 1964 and went to Da Nang. I was a firefighter at Minot.

Joe Fiorillo, e-mail, 04.10.2012reply

Was crewchief on HH43B and HH43F in Newfoundland at Harmon AFB (624529 and 624530 tail numbers), at Sheppard AFB Texas (1966-67) helicopter pilot training and in SEA at Da Nang and Ubon Thailand. Loved working on these helicopters.

Jim Gasser, e-mail, 22.04.2013reply

Great memories of flying on this helicopter as a firefighter at Ramstein AFB from 1969-1972. Was involved in an accident when the pilot landed hard on the tail section during auto-rotation excersize. After repairs, helicopter was put back into service. A lot of memories lifting off with the "FSK" fire suppression kit and fighting many pit fires while simulating pilot rescues. Still have a few pictures to bring back the memories.

Diane Trott, e-mail, 12.10.2012reply

My husband served in Vietnam out of Ubon RTAFB. Was with 35th or 38th ARRS, Detachment 3, 1967 - 1969. If anyone knows him, or was with him, during that time, please contact us. His name is Bobby Gene Trott. He is disabled now but speaks often of his time at Ubon. Told of a time he was in a HH43 that crashed outside of Ubon...would love to know more about that. He received the Air Medal for flights August 1968. Thanks to anyone that will respond.

Rick Cobbett, e-mail, 17.02.2014reply

I was a Flight Medic with The Flight Surgeons office assigned to the "Pedro" unit at Danang AB from '71-72. The memories I have flying on the numerous training and rescue missions in the HH43 are the best of my life. The hueys I flew in stateside were no comparison to the HH43. Hope to see one at a museum someday.

Dwayne Powell, e-mail, 15.10.2012reply

My dad(Donald Powell) was a fireman in the USAF. We were stationed at George AFB between 71-74. I've tried to describe the helo to folks over the years and that he flew on it as a fireman, but no one could recall ever seeing it in action fighting fires. I appreciate the verification from everyone. Dad went to work in a flight suit every day for a couple of years, as I remember. We PCS'd to Chanute AFB after that where he became a fire instructor. Sure loved being around those choppers and F4's, there at George.

David, e-mail, 23.10.2012reply

While stationed in Korea with the AF In 1972 I had a chance to fly on one of this helos as a guest. I loved evert minute. I only had the one flight

Tony Fiducia, e-mail, 24.02.2014reply

"The HH-43F's were used mainly for base operations and rarely for combat rescues in Vietnam"

Whoever wrote this is full of s$%t. The HH43F still holds the record for combat saves.

Bobby Morgan O, e-mail, 28.02.2014reply

I was a Med Tech in det 8'Cam Rahn Bay 65&66. While there I received a DFC and 3 Air Medals. I recall Dale Britton and Capt Lynn Fialko. I returned to Eglin where I was the MTIFE for four years. Maj Charley Trapp was the CO. My best memories are my times as a H43 crew member. Had a few good missions at Elgin, also had tour at Kunson Korea.

Mike Katz, e-mail, 16.11.2012reply

Just came across this site --- I was a jet engine mechanic that worked on the Huskie from '60 > '62 while stationed at Stead AFB (Reno, NV.) Stead is at 5,000msl and the nearby hills go up to +10,000. A great performer - loved to work on them and get my occasional ride to the flight test area.

Bill Irwin, e-mail, 12.04.2010reply

7 1 /2 years as a Med Tech over 1500 hours flying time
Cannon Afb nm. Cigli Ab Turkey Zaragosa Spain an Andrews AFB until they were retired miss it still

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