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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Piasecki HUP-3

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
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Piasecki HUP-3

Piasecki HUP-3

Highlights:

  • A U.S., single-engine utility helicopter designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter Corporation between 1948 and 1954
  • Known as Retriever in the U.S. Navy and H-25 Army Mule in the U.S. Army; also nicknamed "the hupmobile" and "the shoe"
  • Operated from carriers for search-and-rescue missions and general transportation
  • Featured an electrically operated door and a pilot-operated winch
  • Three were flown by RCN from HMCS Labrador (reporting on ice conditions and surveying northern waters)
  • First flight was in 1949

Image Gallery:

CASM-15549

CASM-28487

History:

The HUP-3 was built to a US Navy requirement for a carrier-based helicopter for search-and-rescue and general transportation. Seventy similar aircraft went to the US Army under the designation H-25A. Considered too small, 50 were transferred to the US Navy as the HUP-3. The Royal Canadian Navy received three HUP-3s in 1954. Operating from HMCS Labrador in northern Canadian waters, they reported on ice conditions and conducted hydrographic and oceanographic surveys. The RCN HUP-3s were retired in 1964.

This aircraft was the last of a line of pioneer helicopters developed under the Piasecki name. Early versions of the HUP were called the “hupmobile” or “shoe”, because of their distinctive shape. A prototype performed the first known loop by a helicopter. A large cargo door in the side of the fuselage could accommodate a stretcher and hoist for rescue work. A floor hatch allowed 180-kg (400-lb) loads to be winched up into the cabin.

Current Location:

Helicopters Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Purchase

This HUP-3 was manufactured in May 1954 by Piasecki Helicopter Corporation in Norton, Pennsylvania. Built as a model H-25A Army Mule for the U.S. Army, it was immediately modified (door and winch were installed) for use by the Royal Canadian Navy.

The helicopter was flown to Halifax on May 18 to begin service with helicopter squadron HU-21 in June 1954. During its career, the HUP-3 was used for search-and-rescue operations and training duties, and was deployed aboard HMCS Labrador.

The HUP-3 was retired in 1964 and purchased by the Museum on February 24, 1965. It was restored by Boeing Canada in Arnprior, Ontario between May 1981 and November 1982.

Technical Information:

Rotor diameter 10.7 m (35 ft)
Length 9.8 m (32 ft)
Height 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty 1,874 kg (4,132 lb)
Weight, Gross 2,608 kg (5,750 lb)
Cruising Speed 129 km/h (80 mph)
Max Speed 161 km/h (100 mph)
Rate of Climb 305 m (1,000 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Range 644 km (400 mi)
Power Plant one Continental R-975-46, 550 hp, radial engine

Piasecki HUP-3

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1967.0687
Manufacturer
Piasecki Helicopter Corporation
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1954
Acquisition Date
1965
Registration Number
51-16623 (RCN)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy