Kaman HH-43 / OH-43 / UH-43 Huskie Helicopter
On 6 December 1959, an H-43 Huskie set an altitude record of 29,846 ft. The H-43 set numerous rate of climb records at other times. In Vietnam, the Huskie was deployed in 1964 for Search & Rescue where it flew more SAR missions than all other aircraft combined - with the best safety record of any U.S. military aircraft.
A Huskie on rescue alert could be airborne in approximately one minute. It carried two rescuemen/fire-fighters and could mount a fire suppression kit slung beneath the craft. It often reached crashed airplanes before ground vehicles arrived. Foam from the kit plus the powerful downwash air from the rotors were used to open a path to trapped crash victims to permit their rescue.
As a Marine Corps Observation Helicopter the HH-43 was designated HOK-1. The U.S. Navy Utility Helicopter designation was HUK-1.
Kaman HH-43 Huskie Specifications and Performance
| Rotor diameter | 47 ft. |
| Length | 47 ft. |
| Height | 17 ft. 2 in. |
| Weight | 9,150 lbs. max |
| Armament | None |
| Engine | 860 hp Lycoming T-53 |
| Maximum speed | 120 mph |
| Cruising speed | 105 mph |
| Range | 185 mi. |
| Service ceiling | 25,000 ft. |
HH-43 Pedro (Huskie) helicopter over the Southeast Asia jungle, with hoist deployed to rescue a downed airman, 19 December 1968.
HH-43 Huskie with USAF markings.
HH-43 Huskie at the National Museum of the USAF.
