SIG-002 1/72 Piasetsky HUP-2 Retriever helicopter model kit | 
Siga 1/72 Piasetsky HUP-2 Retriever helicopter model kit. Pic.1
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One of the strangest looking of the Navy's earlier helicopters was the little Piasecki HUP Retriever. The Piasecki Model PV-18 first flew in 1948 and entered regular NAVY service the following year. The NAVY originally purchased 32 HUP-1s far carrier plane guard and utility missions, and then went on to buy 165 HUP-2s, which were powered by a single Continental R-975-46A radial engine of 550 horsepower. The basic configuration features the twin rotor tandem arrangement with the rotors overlapped, thus reducing the helicopter to a minimum size. Though a rugged and fairly capable aircraft the HUP Retriever ultimately proved unsuited to the rigors of front-line NAVY service.
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