The Piasecki HUP-1 Retriever was tested by the U.S. Navy at Lakehurst, New Jersey in these color films possibly from 1949. It is one of 32 delivered with canted stabilizer fins, deleted on subsequent models. HUPs of all models totaled 339 helicopters for U.S. and allied countries.
Power was supplied by a single Continental R-975 engine delivering 525 or 550 horsepower, depending on model. By folding the copilot's seat forward, access was made to a hatch from which an electric winch could hoist up to 400 pounds.
The Navy used the HUP series for plane guard recovery duties aboard aircraft carriers, as well as utility duties -- hence the letter "U" for utility in the designation. The U.S. Army flew these helicopters as the H-25 Army Mule. Some of these Piasecki helicopters entered the U.S. civil aviation market.
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