Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Piasecki HUP Retriever
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1949–1954
Quantity
339
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
29
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1948
- Service Entry Year1949
- Crew2
- Passengers4
- Primary RoleUtility transport and search and rescue
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine TypeContinental R-975-46A
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)410 kW
- Transmission Rating410 kW
- Rotor Configurationtandem overlapping
- Main Rotor Diameter10.67 m
- Main Rotor Blades6
- Anti-Torque Typenone
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed168.966 km/h
- Cruise Speed145 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)175 km/h
- Service Ceiling3,048 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)1,830 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)1,220 m
- Range480 km
- Ferry Range600 km
- Rate of Climb4.6 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length17.069 m
- Height4.01 m
- Rotor Disc Area179.1
- Empty Weight1,890 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight2,608 kg
- Useful Load718 kg
- Cabin Volume3.4
◆Armament & Mission4MOD.4
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload500 kg
- Sling Load Capacity181 kg
- Rescue HoistYes
▤Avionics1MOD.1
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built339
- Variants7
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1965
- Production Start1949
- Production End1954
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1949Production started
- 1954Production ended
77
years in service
5
years in production
339
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
183UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS29EARLY COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS2184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS96PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
A mechanical device used to lift personnel or cargo via a cable, typically mounted on helicopters for rescue or recovery operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources