HUP Retriever

The HUP Retriever was an early tandem rotor helicopter and entered service in 1949 as a general purpose transport and rescue helicopter operating from carriers and other ships. Powered by the same engine which drove the Sherman tank in World War II, the HUP is notable for having the pilot’s seat on the left, unlike other helicopters, because of the rescue hatch’s location in the cockpit. Superceded by the UH-2 Seasprite in the early 1960s, the HUP’s success inspired further work in tandem rotor designs culminating in the CH-46 Sea Knight.

Specifications

Crew	2 pilots
Capacity	4 passengers
Length	56 ft 11 in (17.35 m)
Rotor diameter	35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
Height	13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
Disc area	1,924 ft² (179 m²)
Empty weight	4132 lb (1874 kg)
Powerplant	1 × Continental R-975-46A radial, 550 hp (410 kW)
Maximum speed	91 knots (105 mph, 169 km/h)
Cruise speed	70 knots (80 mph, 129 km/h)
Range	295 nmi (340 mi, 547 km)
Service ceiling	10,000 ft (3,050 m)
Rate of climb	1000 ft/min (5.01 m/s)