MM/Siga 1/72 Piasecki HUP-2

MM/SIGA 1:72 PIASECKI HUP-2
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Warren Inman (rec.models.scale)
- A Built up review of this kit exists on this site - see appropriate review index

Kit Details: MM 1/72 Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever.

Aircraft History: “The Piasecki HUP-2 was the result of a 1945 request by the US Navy for a helicopter that would be able to perform search and rescue missions within a 100 mile radius of its home ship. Designed primarily to operate from smaller shipboard platforms, the HUP could, of course, also operate from large aircraft carriers, and shore stations.”

“Piasecki Helicopter Corporation, located near Philadelphia, was one of the two aircraft makers elected by the Navy to build prototypes. Piasecki's proposal included a new tandem rotor design for its XHJP-1, using large rotor overlap to decrease its length. After a fly off competition with Sikorsky's proposal, the Navy selected the Piasecki aircraft for production. The XHJP-1 was redesignated the HUP-1, the "U" for "Utility".

“The HUP was powered by the Continental R-975 air cooled radial engine, which is the same engine which powered many WWII tanks, and was known as the "tank" engine. The HUP construction was all metal, excepting the wooden rotor blades and fabric covered rear half of the pylon extending aft. Large intakes at the base of the pylon took in cooling air ducted to the engine, after which the air was ducted out a bottom fuselage exit.”

“Early into production, an autopilot and dipping sonar were incorporated into the design, making the HUP the Navy's first Anti- Submarine Warfare helicopter. ASW technology was in it's infancy at the time, and in 1952 production shifted to non-ASW capable HUP-2's, or "Retrievers", as they were now nick named. Thirty two HUP-1's had been delivered prior to January 1952, the first fleet squadron utilizing them being Helicopter Utility Squadron 2 (HU-2).”

“The Navy ordered 70 H-25As for the Army in 1951, with the paper designation HUP-3. The Army would use these "Flying Mules" as troop and cargo helicopters, pending receipt of the larger Piasecki H-21s then being developed. Nineteen other HUPs were added to Navy contracts to be later transferred to France and Canada.”

“Production deliveries continued through 1952 and 1953. Navy and Marine Corps air stations and reserve units began using them for search and rescue, as well as utility missions. The initial HUP-2 ASW versions were delivered in late spring 1953, some going to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 3 (HS-3), and other units.”

“HUPs were chronically underpowered, and the ASW versions of the aircraft were soon stripped of their sub finding gear and relegated strictly to utility and SAR missions. Production deliveries concluded in 1954, after a production run of 336.”

“The HUP stayed in service through the 1950's, best known for their service as plane guards, flying from aircraft carriers. Standard crew for these plane guard missions was one pilot (in the left seat) and one aircrewman to assist in rescues. A single HUP would maintain position off the carrier's starboard side at flight deck level during day VFR operations, often flying sideways to enable the pilot to watch the action.”

“The last HUPs were phased out of service in 1964.”

NOTE: The above information thanks to the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association.

The Kit: The box is a sturdy top opening cardboard box containing 4 injection moulded sprues and one clear sprue. An instruction sheet and bag of decals round out the contents.

The parts selection. The fourth injection moulded sprue is the same as the middle one.

The sprues runners are large, but the attachment points are not too bad.

There is no cockpit side detailing or floor, and the cockpit detailing is very limited which is a pity as the fish bowl type nose would lend itself to a nicely detailed cockpit. The lack of a floor may be accurate for all I know. The seats are cemented directly to the fuselage. But going off the box art it looks to me as though there is a floor. 34 parts in total.

Instructions: A set of instructions folded into three contains a painting/decaling guide and a four step construction process.

Construction: There appears to be little panel detailing, but the rear of the tail is moulded to mimic fabric covering. There doesn’t appear to be too much flash if any. Construction basically goes fuselage, rotors, undercarriage then attaching the rotors and undercarriage.

No locating tabs are in evidence.

Options: No options for this helicopter.

Colour Schemes: 3 paint schemes are included, a UH-25B from the USS Enterprise in 1963, a HUP-2 from Point Mugu in 1962, both of these having the same grey and Day-Glo orange schemes. The final one is in overall Light Gull Grey according to the instructions and served on the USS Saratoga in 1957.

Decals: Decals appear to be of very good quality. Colour register appears to be spot on. And as the sheet says they appear to have been produced by Siga.

The decal sheet.

Accuracy: Going off the pictures I have seen of this ‘aircraft’ it appears to be accurate. No claims one way or the other yet.

Overall Recommendation: They is a saying in aviation circles that helicopters don’t actual fly. They are just so ugly that the Earth repels them. This could be considered true of this odd little craft with rotors almost touching the others rotor head they overlap so much, and the insect like stance. This kit is by MM, but according to the box it is packaged by Siga.

This is a fairly simplified little kit, with very little rotor head or undercarriage detail, but I am sure it would lend itself well to a super-detailer type person with access to a few cockpit drawings.

This is also available as a 1/48 scale kit by a manufacturer called Battle Axe from France. And Mach 2 produce/produced a 1/72 scale one as well which appears to have some interior details this kit is missing. Possibly this won’t be a problem when it is built as you won’t be able to see the interior.

Other: Review courtesy of my wallet. Thanks to NKR Models for being able to supply these esoteric kits at a reasonable price. Complete article including embedded images © Warren Inman 2003.

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