THE Old GUARD
46 Years Ago
H-43A (USAF 58-5524) & TYPE 0-11B CRASH TRUCK @
WPAFB TEST 1959
Narrative by Chief Bob Barrow, CWO-4
USAF Retired
Editor of the USAF
Retired Fire Chief’s Quarterly Network News
http://www.dodfire.com/Retirees/pioneers.htm
PHOTO
SOURCE: Mr. John P. Gagliardo,
R&D Engineer, FEECOM Inc. standing in foreground
A large
demonstration/firefighting test was conducted at Wright-Patterson AFB,
Here’s a
narrative from one of our early H-43A Pilots:
I thought you might like to know that initially, in 1959, we
had the H-43A and were assigned to the 3615th Pilot Training Wing Craig AFB,
H-43A's were replaced with the HH-43B. The H-43A was a
modified version of the Navy/Marine HOK/HUK*. Only 18 were built (I think to keep KAMAN in business while they
tooled up for the HH-43B production line) and all "A" models were
assigned to Air Training Command bases. It was a fun machine to fly but didn't
have much capability. It was powered by an R1340 piston engine and didn't have
a cabin. It had a clamshell bubble and when on alert we removed the copilot's
seat and controls and installed a collapsible litter rack that could hold two
persons. The firefighters rode in bucket seats behind the pilot. Also, the
hoist was installed on the left side of the aircraft so with the litter rack
installed it was difficult for a crewmember to direct the pilot over a
survivor. So, when we got the HH-43B we thought we had really come up in the
world. In 1964, I went to the H-3 program and never flew the Huskie again. It was a great machine and I have a model
HH-43B on display in my family room for all to see. Kind of got carried
away here reliving the good old days.
Carl Damonte
*Navy speak for Helicopter Observation
Kaman/Helicopter Utility Kaman
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