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The HH-43B and F were the gasturbine powered versions of the Kaman Huskie. The helicopter used intermeshing rotors (Flettner System) and therefore doesn't needs a tail rotor for stabilisation and directional corrections like the most helicopters normally do. The Huskies were used by various ARS (Air Rescue Service) and ARRS (Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service) units in Vietnam as rescue helicopter. It could carry a fire exstinguishing device used for putting out fires if for example an aircraft caught fire during a crash landing. It was the most commonly used dedicated rescue helicopter in Vietnam.
A HH-43B with the fire exstinguishing device on a parked trailer ready to be picked up.
Three HH-43B sitting on the flight line of Tan Son Nhut Airbase (Saigon, RVN) ready for action.
A HH-43B carrying the sling loaded device.
The helicopters also had a winch to pick up persons.
A HH-43F at work putting out a fire on a crash landed A-1 Skyraider.
A HH-43 "guarding" a landed C-7 Caribou.
As the caption says.
A HH-43F at Da Nang Airbase.
A HH-43F of the 38th ARRS at Phu Cat Airbase.
DET14 of the 38th ARRS at Tan Son Nhut Airbase.
A HH-43F with some battle damage showing that they weren't only used in safe areas. Also note the slide-on/off roundel indicating that it also got used in areas where the US forces officially weren't allowed to operate.
The helicopter got the nickname "Pedro" because it often was just hanging around like a "lazy Mexican" waiting for action and also because of the shape of the rotors which reminded the people of a Sombrero hat. The name "Pedro" was quickly adopted by other USAF helicopter rescue units and carries on until today. Some of the HH-60G Pave Hawks of the 55th Rescue Squadron (CSAR) for example often sport a moustache painted on the nose as a reminisce.
A HH-43B with the fire exstinguishing device on a parked trailer ready to be picked up.
Three HH-43B sitting on the flight line of Tan Son Nhut Airbase (Saigon, RVN) ready for action.
A HH-43B carrying the sling loaded device.
The helicopters also had a winch to pick up persons.
A HH-43F at work putting out a fire on a crash landed A-1 Skyraider.
A HH-43 "guarding" a landed C-7 Caribou.
As the caption says.
A HH-43F at Da Nang Airbase.
A HH-43F of the 38th ARRS at Phu Cat Airbase.
DET14 of the 38th ARRS at Tan Son Nhut Airbase.
A HH-43F with some battle damage showing that they weren't only used in safe areas. Also note the slide-on/off roundel indicating that it also got used in areas where the US forces officially weren't allowed to operate.
The helicopter got the nickname "Pedro" because it often was just hanging around like a "lazy Mexican" waiting for action and also because of the shape of the rotors which reminded the people of a Sombrero hat. The name "Pedro" was quickly adopted by other USAF helicopter rescue units and carries on until today. Some of the HH-60G Pave Hawks of the 55th Rescue Squadron (CSAR) for example often sport a moustache painted on the nose as a reminisce.
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