HUP-2 Artwork Mystery

[Russ Matthews]

Last month (18 October 2016), Torrance Airport witnessed the arrival of a Korean War era Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever helicopter.



A team of dedicated volunteers is already hard at work, prepping it for display at the USS Iowa museum in San Pedro. When it is complete and finished in a period-correct color scheme, this Navy bird is sure to look right at home in its natural setting on the fantail of an historic American battleship.

The initial paint stripping has uncovered something of a mystery .. original artwork from (both sides of) the tail section depicting a nude woman being lifted by a dove. As of this moment, no one is sure if the painting is a unique individual distinction or some sort of unit insignia. It might date from the early 1950s and service with the French Navy .. perhaps even combat operations off Viet Nam (French Indochina) while assigned to the carrier La Fayette (R 96), ex-USS Langley (CVL-27). I'm also told the helicopter was reportedly purchased by a French company for use in pipeline surveys before being sold to a museum.



If anyone has any thoughts/ideas/observations that will shed some light on this unexpected discovery, please post them here (or PM me). Also feel free to link this story to other aviation, modeling, or maritime history boards, etc .. where people might have interest/insight in getting to the bottom of things. I'll share the results with my friends at the Iowa.

[Andy Marden]

Looks like an interesting project.
Do you have the BuNo of your HUP please?
Andy

[SIDSIKO]

130082 Andy

[Russ Matthews]

SIDSIKO is correct.

BuNo 130082 (though it was apparently sold directly to the French and never spent a day in USN service).



And to be fair, it's not my HUP (or at least not only mine). I'm just one link in a growing chain of individuals, organizations, and corporations all doing their part to make it happen

[Russ Matthews]

Earlier today I stumbled onto a fascinating picture of 130082 in service with the French Navy circa 1954. Note the prominent "82" on her tail (and no artwork visible).



The photo was posted to aero web back in 2007 by a previous owner who was in the process of restoring her (but, sadly died in an accident while piloting a HUP-1).

http://www.aero-web.org/database/aircraft/getimage.htm?id=15093

[JohnB]

IIRC,the former owner's name was Pike, who had the only flying HUP/H-25.
I have since read(probably here) that his sons were restoring a HUP. Anyone know if that is/was true and if they're still doing it?

I thought they might be restoring the ship their father flew.

A lot of HUPs seem to be coming out of the woodwork lately.
Isn't someone here restoring one, and I think there was a recent thread here on another being restored for a ship museum.

[Russ Matthews]

IIRC,the former owner's name was Pike ...

I'm told this bird used to belong to a John Goble, who was tragically killed about six years ago (2010). It then spent time with the excellent American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in West Chester, PA before being acquired by the Pacific Battleship Center (a.k.a. The USS Iowa Museum).

Isn't someone here restoring one?

It looks like WIXer "Nathan" has a HUP themed thread.

I think there was a recent thread here on another being restored for a ship museum.

I'm not sure about that. It might have been another topic discussing this same machine.

Last edited by Russ Matthews on Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnB]

IIRC,the former owner's name was Pike ...

I'm told this bird used to belong to a John Goble, who was tragically killed about six years ago (2010)..

The helicopter's owner was Mr. Pike, Goble was onboard at the time of the crash.
Here's a link to a story about the inevitable lawsuit....
http://www.aviationlawmonitor.com/2011/ ... y-verdict/

Last edited by JohnB on Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnB]

Double post

[Russ Matthews]

The helicopter's owner was Mr. Pike, Goble was on board at the time of the crash.

John .. thanks for the clarification and the article about the accident. What a tragedy. I'll be sure and pass this info along to the folks at the Iowa museum.

[Nathan]

I had no idea about this HUP being in my state otherwise I might of owned it by now. haha

The HUP squadrons were called "Fleet Angels"-comprising HU-1 and HU-2 squadrons. Just a guess its just some art work to go with that motto.