The H-43 was the first Kaman product purchased in quantity by the USAF and the first helicopter purchased for an airborne fire fighting and crash rescue role. N Air Force evaluation of existing helicopter designs suitable for this job let to the choice of the Kaman 600, which was in production for the US Navy as the HOK-1. An initial production batch of 18 were ordered, differing only from the Navy model in equipment; first flown on September 19, 1958, and they were delivered, as H-43As, from November 1958 to mid-1959.

These aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1340-48 piston engines, were assigned tot he Tactical Air Command bases and served until 1961. WR-ALC was responsible for the logistics support of the all H-43s in USAF service. The HH-43A on display was delivered to the USAF in May 1959 and assigned to the 3510th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB, Texas. It was later transferred to the AF Proving Ground Center at Eglin AFB and removed from service in 1963. It was transferred to the Museum in 1986 for display.