Piasecki XHJP-1 Retriever

Piasecki Helicopter Corporation · USA · first flew 1948 · helicopter

The XHJP-1 was the prototype for what became the Piasecki HUP Retriever, a compact tandem-rotor helicopter designed for shipboard utility and rescue operations aboard US Navy vessels. It validated Piasecki's tandem rotor concept in a compact naval package.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Tandem-rotor helicopter prototype
• Predecessor to HUP Retriever
• Compact naval shipboard utility helicopter

Compact tandem-rotor helicopter with overlapping rotors, a rounded fuselage with fixed tricycle undercarriage, and no tail rotor — the tandem rotor configuration is the primary recognition feature.

Specifications

• The Piasecki XHJP-1 Retriever has a length of 12.4 m (41 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Piasecki developed the XHJP-1 in response to a Navy requirement for a small helicopter capable of operating from destroyer-sized ships. The overlapping tandem rotor design allowed a short overall length suitable for shipboard stowage and operation.

Variants

The XHJP-1 prototype led directly to the production HUP-1 and HUP-2 Retriever series which served extensively with the US Navy and Army in the 1950s.

Where you'll see it

The XHJP-1 itself was a prototype only; its production successor the HUP Retriever served widely aboard US Navy ships for plane-guard and utility duties.

Related aircraft

• Piasecki HUP Retriever
• Piasecki HUP-1 Retriever
• Piasecki HRP Rescuer
• Piasecki HRP-1 Rescuer
• Bell XH-15
• Hiller UH-12
• Mil Mi-1
• Westland WS-51 Dragonfly

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