Kaman HH-43 Huskie

Kaman Corporation · United States · first flew 1953 · helicopter

The Kaman HH-43 Huskie was a twin-rotor synchropter helicopter with two intermeshing counter-rotating blades and no tail rotor, designed primarily for local base rescue and crash-firefighting operations. Its unusual rotor configuration was a Kaman trademark.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.67 m fuselage
T — Tail	No tailplane

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Spot it by:

Intermeshing counter-rotating twin-rotor synchropter
No tail rotor
USAF crash-rescue helicopter with fire-suppression kit

Immediately recognisable by its two large intermeshing rotors angled apart in an X configuration over the cabin, with no tail rotor and a short, boxy fuselage.

Specifications

The Kaman HH-43 Huskie has a length of 7.67 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.33 m (47 ft).
Its maximum speed is 193 km/h (120 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the earlier Kaman HTK, the HOK/HUK entered Navy and Marine service in the early 1950s, while the USAF version designated HH-43 Huskie became the primary base-rescue helicopter through the 1960s, serving throughout the Vietnam War.

Variants

H-43A had a piston engine; H-43B introduced a Lycoming T53 turboshaft for improved hot-and-high performance and was the main production model. The HH-43F added further engine improvements.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the USAF, US Navy, and US Marine Corps, as well as Pakistan, Thailand, Colombia, and Iran. The USAF retired it in the 1970s after the introduction of the HH-3.

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