Sikorsky H-34 - Wikipedia

American helicopter

Sikorsky H-34 / S-58
A United States Army CH-34
General information
Type	Helicopter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Army United States NavyUnited States Marine Corps
Number built	2,340 [1]
History
Manufactured	1954–1970[2] (Foreign production of derivatives and sub-types continued under license after the Sikorsky production ended.)
Introduction date	1954
First flight	8 March 1954
Developed from	Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
Developed into	Westland Wessex

The Sikorsky H-34 (company designation S-58) is an American piston-engined military utility helicopter originally designed by Sikorsky as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft for the United States Navy. A development of the smaller Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw (S-55), the H-34 was originally powered by a radial engine, but was later adapted to turbine power by the British licensee as the Westland Wessex and by Sikorsky as the S-58T. The H-34 was also produced under license in France by Sud Aviation.

The H-34 was one of the first successful military utility helicopters, serving on every continent with the armed forces of 25 countries. It saw combat in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, the Six-Day War, the Vietnam War, and the Algerian War, where the French Air Force used it to pioneer modern air assault tactics. It was the last piston-engined helicopter to be operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), having been replaced by turbine-powered types such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-46 Sea Knight; in the USMC, the H-34 was often called the "HUS" after its original designation in that service. A total of 2,340 H-34s were manufactured between 1953 and 1970, including the license productions in the UK and France.[1]

Although most military forces retired the H-34 by the late 20th century, the type remains in limited civil use in transport and external cargo lift roles, and some have been restored and flown as warbirds.

Development

[edit]

In the early 1950s Sikorsky developed the S-58, an improved version of the S-55, which had entered service as the H-19 with the United States. The United States Navy issued a contract in 1952 for the S-58, entering service as the HUS-1, the Army placing a contract in 1955 as the H-34, and the Marine Corp in 1957 (as the HUS-1).[3] In 1962 these names were standardized to H-34, with additional prefixes and letters according to that U.S. designation system.[4] Westland had already made a version of the predecessor of the S-58, the S-55 as the Westland Whirlwind, and they would go on to make a turbine powered version of the S-56 as the Westland Wessex.[4]

The Sikorsky S-58 was developed as a lengthened and more powerful version of the Sikorsky Model S-55, or UH-19 Chickasaw, with a similar nose, but with a tail-dragger rear fuselage and landing gear, rather than the high-tail, 4-post pattern. It retained the nose-mounted radial reciprocating engine with the drive shaft passing through the cockpit placed high above the cargo compartment.

The aircraft first flew on 8 March 1954. The first production aircraft was ready in September and entered in service for the United States Navy initially designated HSS-1 Seabat (in its anti-submarine configuration) and HUS-1 Seahorse (in its utility transport configuration) under the U.S. Navy designation system for U.S. Navy, United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps, respectively, ordered it in 1955 and 1957. Under the United States Army's aircraft designation system, also used by the United States Air Force, the helicopter was designated H-34. The U.S. Army also applied the name Choctaw to the helicopter. In 1962, under the new unified DoD aircraft designation system, the Seabat was redesignated SH-34, the Seahorse as the UH-34, and the Choctaw as the CH-34.

Roles included utility transport, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and VIP transport. In its standard configuration, transport versions could carry 12 to 16 troops, or eight stretcher cases if utilized in the MedEvac role, while VIP transports carried significantly fewer people in much greater comfort.

A total of 135 H-34s were built in the US and assembled by Sud-Aviation in France, 166 were produced under licence in France by Sud-Aviation for the French Air Force.

The CH-34 was also built and developed under license from 1958 in the United Kingdom by Westland Aircraft as the turboshaft engined Wessex which was used by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The RN Wessex was fitted out with weapons and ASW equipment for use in an antisubmarine role. The RAF used the Wessex, with turboshaft engines, as an air/sea rescue helicopter and as troop transporter. Wessexes were also exported to other countries and produced for civilian use.

Operational history

[edit]

Entering service in the 1950s, the type served numerous roles in the late 20th century.

The type was internationally and commercially.

Algerian War

[edit] Main article: Algerian War

The helicopters used by the French Air Force, including the Sikorsky H-34, aggregated over 190,000 flying hours in Algeria (over 87,000 for the H-21 alone) and helped to evacuate over 20,000 French combatants from the combat area, including nearly 2,200 at night. By the time the war in Algeria had ended, eight officers and 23 non-commissioned officers had been killed.

The use of armed helicopters during the Algerian War, coupled with helicopter transports which can insert troops into enemy territory, gave birth to some of the modern tactics of airmobile warfare.[5]

Vietnam War

[edit]

French evaluations on the reported ground fire vulnerabilities of the CH-34 may have influenced the U.S. Army's decision to deploy the CH-21 Shawnee to Vietnam instead of the CH-34, pending the introduction into widespread service of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois. U.S. Army H-34s did not participate in Vietnam, and did not fly in the assault helicopter role, but a quantity were supplied to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF). These saw little use due to a lack of spare parts and maintenance.[6]

Its higher availability and reliability due to its simplicity compared to the newer helicopters led Marines to ask for it by name. The phrases "give me a HUS", "get me a HUS" and "cut me a HUS" entered the U.S. Marine Corps vernacular, being used even after the type was no longer in use to mean "help me out".[7]

USMC H-34s were also among the first helicopter gunships trialled in theatre, being fitted with the Temporary Kit-1 (TK-1), comprising two M60C machine guns and two 19-shot 2.75 inch rocket pods. The operations were met with mixed enthusiasm, and the armed H-34s, known as "Stingers" were quickly phased out. The TK-1 kit would form the basis of the TK-2 kit used on the UH-1E helicopters of the USMC.

An H-34 was featured in the famous early-Vietnam War Time-Life photo essay "One Ride With Yankee Papa 13", photographer Larry Burrows, which depicted stages of a disastrous combat mission in which several crew were wounded or killed.[8]

Post-Vietnam War

[edit]

The H-34 remained in service with United States Army and Marine Corps aviation units into the late 1960s; at this time it was also standard equipment in Marine Corps Reserve, Army Reserve and Army National Guard aviation units, eventually being replaced by the UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. Sikorsky terminated all production activities in 1968, a total of 1,821 having been built.[9] All H-34 helicopters were retired from service in the U.S. military by the early 1970s; the type having the distinction of being the last piston-engined helicopter to be operated by the Marine Corps. On 3 September 1973, the last flight of a USMC UH-34 occurred as Bureau Number 147191 which had been formally assigned to Headquarters Squadron, FMF Pacific was flown from Quantico, Virginia to MCAS New River to be placed on static display.[10][11]

France

[edit]

France purchased an initial batch of 134 Choctaws; these were shipped in kit-form from the United States and locally assembled by Sud-Aviation. Later, a further 166 were domestically manufactured by Sud-Aviation; these were operated by the[12]French Naval Aviation (Navy) and Air force.

United Kingdom

[edit]

Main article: Westland Wessex

The Wessex was used as an anti-submarine and utility helicopter with the Royal Navy and as a transport and search and rescue helicopter with the Royal Air Force. British Wessex saw action in several conflicts: Falklands, Oman, Borneo, Aden, etc.

The twin-turbine Wessex served into the 21st century, and was one of the longest serving and successful of the H-34 types.

South Vietnam

[edit]

Used by RVNAF 219th Squadron to insert MACV-SOG reconnaissance teams into Laos.[13] The H-34 was the primary RVNAF helicopter until replaced by the Bell UH-1 Huey.[14]

Israel

[edit]

Israeli S-58s flew numerous combat missions after the end of the Six-Day War; these missions were mainly against Palestinians infiltrating Israel or against their bases in Jordan. On 21 March 1968, various S-58s participated in the Battle of Karameh, bringing Israeli troops in and out of the theatre as well as evacuating the wounded. This was the last operation of the S-58 as it was retired shortly later, having been replaced by the newer Bell 205 and Aérospatiale Super Frelon.[15]

Civilian use

[edit]

The H-34's lift capacity was just sufficient to lift a Mercury space capsule. In 1961, the hatch of Mercury-Redstone 4 was prematurely detached and the capsule was filled with seawater. The extra weight was too much for the H-34 and the capsule, Liberty Bell 7, was emergency released and sank in deep water,[16] remaining on the ocean floor until 1999.

Sikorsky set up a production line in 1970 to remanufacture existing S-58 aircraft into the S-58T configuration, replacing the R-1820 engine with a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin-Pac turboshafts; Sikorsky obtained a Federal Aviation Administration type certificate for the conversion in April 1971. The conversion enhanced safety, allowing the aircraft to continue flight after an engine failure, and greatly improved its hot and high performance; whereas the R-1820 could only provide full power up to an altitude of 700 ft (210 m), the paired PT-6s provide full power up to 6,000 ft (1,800 m), and an S-58T can fly at maximum gross weight up to 5,000 ft (1,500 m). The type certificate for the S-58T was sold to California Helicopter International in 1981.[17]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, S-58T helicopters were operated by New York Helicopters in scheduled passenger airline service between JFK International Airport and East 34th Street Heliport, New York.[18]

In the early 1970s, Orlando Helicopter Airways developed a novel civil conversion of the S-55/H-19, the Heli-Camper, a campervan-like conversion—featuring a built-in mini-kitchen and sleeping accommodations for four.[19] Later in that decade, Orlando developed a larger version based on the S-58 and participated in a joint effort with popular American recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer Winnebago Industries to market both aircraft as the Winnebago Heli-Home. The S-58 version featured a larger kitchenette, sleeping accommodations for six, a minibar, and an entertainment system; optional floats were offered for amphibious operations. The aircraft were featured in several American popular magazines and reportedly drew large crowds at RV shows and dealerships, but their high purchase price together with rising 1970s fuel prices resulted in very limited sales; production is not well documented but is estimated at only six or seven of the S-55 and S-58 versions combined.[20]

Variants

[edit]

Pre-1962 USAF/Army designations

[edit] H-34A U.S. Army version of the HSS-1 powered by a 1,525 hp R-1820-84, re-designated CH-34A in 1962, 359 built and 21 transferred from the U.S. Navy. JH-34A Designation for H-34A used for weapon tests. VH-34A Staff transport conversions of H-34A. H-34B H-34As converted with detail changes, became CH-34B in 1962. H-34C H-34B design with detail changes converted from H-34As, became CH-34C in 1962.

US Navy designations

[edit] XHSS-1 Seabat Three Sikorsky S-58s for evaluation by the U.S. Navy, re-designated YHSS-1 then YSH-34G in 1962. HSS-1 Seabat Production Anti-Submarine model for the U.S. Navy, re-designated SH-34G in 1962, 215 built HSS-1F Seabat One HSS-1 re-engined with two YT-58-GE as a flying test bed, re-designated SH-34H in 1962. YHSS-1N Seabat One HSS-1 converted as the HSS-1N prototype, re-designated YSH-34J in 1962. HSS-1N Seabat Night/Bad weather version of the HSS-1 with improved avionics and autopilot, re-designated SH-34J in 1962, 167 built (an addition 75 HSS-1 airframes were built to CH-34C standard for West Germany). HUS-1 Seahorse Utility transport version of the HSS-1 for the U.S. Marine Corps, re-designated UH-34D in 1962, 462 built HUS-1A Seahorse Forty HUS-1s fitted with amphibious pontoons, re-designated UH-34E in 1962. HUS-1G Seahorse United States Coast Guard version of the HUS-1, re-designated HH-34F in 1962, six built. HUS-1L Seahorse Four HUS-1s converted for Antarctic operations with VXE-6, re-designated LH-34D in 1962. HUS-1Z Seahorse Seven HUS-1s fitted with VIP interior for the Executive Flight Detachment, re-designated VH-34D in 1962.

Post-1962 Tri-Service designations

[edit] CH-34A H-34A re-designated in 1962 CH-34B H-34B re-designated in 1962 CH-34C H-34C re-designated in 1962 JH-34C Designation for CH-34C used for weapon tests. VH-34C Staff transport conversions of CH-34C. HH-34D Designation applied to aircraft given USAF serials to be transferred under MAP and MDAP. LH-34D HUS-1L re-designated in 1962 UH-34D HUS-1 re-designated in 1962 and 54 new build. VH-34D HUS-1Z re-designated in 1962 UH-34E HUS-1A re-designated in 1962 HH-34F HUS-1G re-designated in 1962 YSH-34G YHSS-1 re-designated in 1962 SH-34G HSS-1 re-designated in 1962 SH-34H HSS-1F re-designated in 1962

YSH-34J YHSS-1N re-designated in 1962 SH-34J HSS-1N re-designated in 1962 UH-34J SH-34J without ASW equipment for cargo and training purposes. HH-34J Ex-USN UH-34Js operated by the U.S. Air Force VH-34J Staff transport conversions of SH-34J.

Canadian designations

[edit] CH-126 Canadian military designation for the S-58B.

Thai designations

[edit] H.4 (Thai: ฮ.๔) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the H-34B.[21] H.4A (Thai: ฮ.๔ก) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the S-58T.[21]

Civil variants

[edit] S-58A Commercial designation for basic cargo variant, certified in 1956 S-58B Commercial designation for improved cargo variant, certified in 1956

S-58C Commercial passenger transport/airliner version, certified in 1956

S-58D Commercial airliner/freighter version, certified in 1961 S-58E Certified in 1971 S-58F Certified in 1972 an increased maximum weight variant of the S-58B. S-58G Certified in 1972 an increased maximum weight variant of the S-58C. S-58H Certified in 1972 an increased maximum weight variant of the S-58D. S-58J Certified in 1972 an increased maximum weight variant of the S-58E S-58T Commercial conversion to turboshaft power using Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin-Pac turboshaft with special nose cowling featuring distinctive twin rectangular air intakes, designations relate to original model: S-58BT Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58B S-58DT Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58D S-58ET Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58E S-58FT Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58F S-58HT Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58H S-58JT Turboshaft-powered conversion of the S-58J Orlando Heli-Camper / Winnebago Heli-Home RV conversion by Winnebago Industries and Orlando Helicopter, fitted with a Wright Cyclone R-1820-24 engine[20] Orlando Airliner Commercial conversion. 18-seat passenger transport helicopter.

Licensed variants

[edit] Westland Wessex Licence production and development in the United Kingdom.

Operators

[edit]  Argentina

• Argentine Air Force[22]
• Argentine Naval Aviation[23]

 Belgium

• Belgian Air Force[24]
• Belgian Navy[24]

 Brazil

• Brazilian Navy[24]

 Canada

• Royal Canadian Air Force[25]
• Canadian Armed Forces[24]

 Chile

• Chilean Navy[26][27]

 Costa Rica

• Ministry of Public Security[28]

 France

• French Army[29]
• French Navy[30]

 West Germany

• German Air Force[29]
• German Army[29]
• German Navy[29]

 Haiti

• Haitian Air Corps[31]

 Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force[32]

 Italy

• Italian Air Force[33]

 Israel

• Israeli Air Force[34]

 Japan

• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force[35]

Khmer Republic

• Khmer Air Force

Kingdom of Laos

• Royal Lao Air Force[36]

 Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Navy[37]

 Nicaragua

• Fuerza Aérea Sandinista[38]

Philippines

• Philippine Air Force

Spain

• Spain

South Vietnam

• Republic of Vietnam Air Force[39]

 Republic of China

• Republic of China Army[40]

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Air Force[41]

 United States

• Air America[42]
• United States Air Force[43]
• United States Army[2]
• United States Marine Corps[2]
• United States Navy[2]
• United States Coast Guard[2][44]

 Uruguay

• Uruguayan Navy[45]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

• 27 July 1960 Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698 a S-58C registered N879 crashed into Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois, United States with the loss of 11 passengers and two crew. The investigation concluded that the helicopter became uncontrollable as a result of structural disintegration in flight caused by a fatigue failure of the main rotor blade.[46]
• 14 November 1971 Sikorsky SH-34J, A-062 of the Uruguayan Navy lost control after trying to lift a ground vehicle in an airshow, the helicopter fell to the ground hitting another Sikorsky SH-34J Helicopter. The broken blades flew directly into the audience of the airshow killing 8 people and severely injuring and mutilating at least 40 more. Due to the unstable political situation of the country at the time, no investigation followed the accident. Several years later, many irregularities came to light: The helicopter condition was not good when it was purchased by the Uruguayan Navy, fuel used was not appropriate, temperature on the day of the accident was too high to attempt a heavy lift, and the co-pilot of the helicopter was a fixed wing pilot with no experience in rotary wing aircraft.[47]
• 10 July 2002 Sikorsky S-58ET, N580US (S/N 58-1673, built 1963), struck power transmission lines with its tailwheel, ripping the aircraft in two, over Brookville Lake, Indiana. One crew member was killed; the other two crew members were rescued by boaters. The aircraft was operated by Midwest Helicopter Airways of Hinsdale, Illinois, and registered to Midwest Truxton International of Burr Ridge, Illinois. "Based on interviews with witnesses and the surviving pilots, there was no indication of any mechanical failure," said SGT. Steve Comer of the Indiana State Police. NTSB Accident Report #CHI02FA189 [48]
• 13 March 2011 Sikorsky S-58ET, N33602, suffered an engine failure, descended and veered off the side of an office building in El Segundo, California while lifting an external air conditioning unit from the roof. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged and consumed by a post-impact fire. The helicopter was registered to Heli Flight, Inc., and operated by Aris Helicopters.[49]

Aircraft on display

[edit]

Canada

[edit]

• 130761 – H34C in storage at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwn, Alberta.[50]

Chile

[edit]

• Naval 52 – SH-34J on static display at Viña del Mar Airport in Viña del Mar, Valparaíso. This airframe was the second of two received by the Chilean Navy and was exhibited for the first time after restoration at Exponaval 2014.[51] It was previously on display at Alberto Widmer High School.[52]

France

[edit]

• HSS-1, No. 182, is on display at the Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, the military part of the Toulon–Hyères Airport in France.[53] Serving until 1977 with 31F squadron, it was one of the last operational H-34's in French Naval Aviation. Now restored, No. 182 is displayed in the typical navy blue color of the French navy's helicopters of this time period.[54]

Germany

[edit]

• 80+73 – SH-34G on static display at the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim in Oberschleißheim, Bavaria.[55][56]
• 81+09 – H-34 GIII on static display at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg in Bückeburg, Lower Saxony.[57][58]
• 58-0356 – S-58C on static display at the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim in Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg.[59]

Indonesia

[edit]

• 

  H-3402 – UH-34 on static display at Dirgantara Mandala Museum in Yogyakarta.[60]
• H-3404 – S-58T on static display outside Dirgantara Mandala Museum in Yogyakarta.[61]
• H-3415 – S-58T on static display in front of Atang Senjaya airbase in Bogor.[62][63]

Netherlands

[edit]

• A former Royal Netherlands Navy SH-34J Seabat bearing the markings of number 134 operating from Valkenburg naval air station is on display with folded rotor blades and tail in the newly opened "Nationaal Militair Museum" situated at the former airbase of Soesterberg. Previously the aircraft was displayed in the National Air Force museum at Kamp Zeist which has since closed down.[64]

Thailand

[edit]

• H4k-64/30 – Type 4A on static display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok, Bangkok.[65][66]
• Unknown ID – Type 4 on static display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok, Bangkok.[65][67]

Philippines

[edit]

• 153131 – UH-34D on static display at the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Villamor Air Base, Pasay.[68]

United States

[edit]

• 138460 – UH-34D on static display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.[69][70][better source needed]
• 143937 – UH-34D on static display at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles, California.[71][72]
• 143939 – H-34A on static display at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California.[73][74]
• 145694 – UH-34J on static display at the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This airframe was built in October 1958 and restored in April 1995.[75][76]
• 145717 – LH-34D on static display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.[77]
• 145728 - HUS-1A Seahorse on static display in original Navy colors at the Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter on Stinson Municipal Airport in San AntonioTexas
• 147171 – UH-34D on static display in the Vietnam display next to USS Yorktown at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.[78][79]
• 147173 – UH-34D in storage at the Connecticut Air & Space Center in Stratford, Connecticut.[80][81]
• 147191 – VH-34D is on static display at the New River Aviation Memorial at the front gate of Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.[82] This airframe was the last flying US Marine Corps H-34 in 1973.[83]
• 148002 – SH-34J on static display at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo, Colorado.[84][85]
• 148764 – UH-34D on static display at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (former Carswell AFB) near Fort Worth, Texas.[86]
• 148768 – UH-34D on static display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania[87]
• 148963 – HH-34J on static display at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.[88]
• 150213 – UH-34D on static display at Fort Worth Aviation Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Previously at Cavanaugh Flight Museum.[89]
• 150219 – UH-34D on static display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California.[90][91]
• 150227 – UH-34D on static display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.[92][93]
• 150255 – UH-34D on static display at the Wings and Rotors Air Museum in Murrieta, California.[94][95][96]

• 150553 – UH-34D on static display at the USS Hornet Museum at the former Naval Air Station Alameda in Alameda, California. This airframe entered service in August 1963 and was donated to the museum in 2003 by the Pima Air and Space Museum.[97]
• 150570 – UH-34D on static display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.[98][99]
• 154895 – UH-34D on static display at the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California.[100][101]
• 53-4477 – CH-34G on static display at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force base in Edwards, California.[102][103]
• 53-4526 – CH-34A in storage at the United States Army Aviation Museum near Daleville, Alabama.[104]
• 53-4544 – CH-34C on static display at the Camp San Luis Obispo Museum and Historical Site in San Luis Obispo, California.[105][106]
• 54-0914 – CH-34C on static display at the Russell Military Museum in Zion, Illinois.[107][108]
• 55-4496 – CH-34C in storage at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.[109] This airframe was previously on display at the Florence Air & Missile Museum in Florence, South Carolina.[110][111]
• 56-4320 – VH-34C on static display at the United States Army Aviation Museum near Daleville, Alabama.[112][113]
• 57-1684 – VH-34C on static display at the Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.[114]
• 57-1698 – CH-34A on static display at the Allegheny Arms & Armor Museum in Smethport, Pennsylvania. This airframe was previously on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, New York.[115]
• 57-1705 – CH-34C on static display at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California.[116]

• 57-1708 – CH-34C on static display at the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California.[117][118]
• 57-1725 – VH-34C on static display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum near Newport News, Virginia.[119][120]

Specifications (H-34 Choctaw)

[edit]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59[121]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 12 troops (H-34A) / 18 troops (H-34C) / 8 stretchers
• Length: 47 ft 2 in (14.38 m) fuselage

56 ft 8.5 in (17 m) rotors turning[citation needed]

• Height: 14 ft 3.5 in (4.356 m)
• Empty weight: 7,646 lb (3,468 kg)
• Gross weight: 11,867 lb (5,383 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 13,300 lb (6,033 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 198–307 US gal (165–256 imp gal; 750–1,160 L)
• Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820-84 Cyclone , 1,525 hp (1,137 kW) for take-off

1,275 hp (951 kW) METO for 5 minutes

• Main rotor diameter: 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m)
• Main rotor area: 2,463 sq ft (228.8 m2) *Blade section: – NACA 0012[122]

Performance

• Maximum speed: 122 mph (196 km/h, 106 kn) [123]
• Cruise speed: 97 mph (156 km/h, 84 kn) [123]
• Range: 190 mi (310 km, 170 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
• Hover ceiling IGE: 9,600 ft (2,926 m) (H-34A)
• Hover ceiling OGE: 5,500 ft (1,676 m) (H-34A)
• Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s) at sea level
• Vertical rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.05 m/s) at sea level

Armament

Main articles: U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems § UH-34/CH-34 Choctaw/Seahorse, and U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems

Notable appearances in media

[edit] Main article: Aircraft in fiction § CH-34 Choctaw / Westland Wessex

See also

[edit]

Related development

• Piasecki PA-97
• Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
• Westland Wessex

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Mil Mi-4

Related lists

• List of civil aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of rotorcraft

Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b "H-34." Archived 2016-12-11 at the Wayback Machine Warplanes.net. Retrieved: 19 May 2024.
2. ^ a b c d e "S58 (CH-34, UH-34, VH-34, SH-34, HH-34, S-58A, C, D, S-58T)." Sikorsky Product History. Retrieved: 5 March 2013.
3. ^ "Sikorsky S-58 – Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives". Retrieved 7 August 2024.
4. ^ a b "Sikorsky S-55, S-56, & S-58". www.airvectors.net. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
5. ^ helicopters during the war in Algeria, Military History
6. ^ Mesko 1984, pp. 4–6.
7. ^ Fails 1995, p. 9.
8. ^ Burrows, Larry (16 April 1965). "One Ride With Yankee Papa 13". Life. 24-34C. Retrieved 28 January 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
9. ^ Endres, Günter G. Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1996. ISBN 978-0-7106-1363-9.
10. ^ Fails 1995, p. 127.
11. ^ MARINES AND HELICOPTERS, 1962–1973, pp.127–128, retrieved 9 December 2014.
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Bibliography

[edit]

• Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. ISBN 0-517-439352.
• Duke, R.A. Helicopter Operations in Algeria [Translated French]. Washington, D.C.: Dept. of the Army, 1959.
• Elliot, Bryn (March–April 1997). "Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective". Air Enthusiast. No. 68. pp. 46–51. ISSN 0143-5450.
• Fails, William R. Marines & Helicopters, 1962–1973. Darby, Pennsylvania: Diane Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0-7881-1818-8.
• Griffin, John A. Canadian Military Aircraft Serials & Photographs 1920–1968. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Queen's Printer, Publication No. 69-2, 1969.
• Gunston, Bill. An Illustrated Guide To the Israeli Air Force. London: Salamander Books, 1982. ISBN 978-0-668-05506-2.
• Leuliette, Pierre. St. Michael and the Dragon: Memoirs of a Paratrooper, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1964.
• Mesko, Jim: Airmobile: The Helicopter War in Vietnam. Carollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1984. ISBN 0-89747-159-8.
• Riley, David. "French Helicopter Operations in Algeria." Marine Corps Gazette, February 1958, pp. 21–26.
• Shrader, Charles R. The First Helicopter War: Logistics and Mobility in Algeria, 1954–1962. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 1999. ISBN 0-275-96388-8.
• Spenser, Jay P. Whirlybirds: A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press, 1998. ISBN 0-295-97699-3.

Further reading

[edit]

• Padin, Núñez, Jorge Felix and Juan Carlos Cicalesi, eds. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 & S-58/T (Serie en Argentina) in Spanish. Bahía Blanca, Argentina: Fuerzas Aeronavales, 2011. ISBN 978-987-1682-13-3.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky S-58 and Sikorsky H-34.

• VNAF Kingbee 219th Squadron history fact sheet
• HELIS.com Sikorsky S-58/H-34/HSS-1/HUS-1 Database

Articles and topics related to the Sikorsky H-34

v t e Sikorsky S-55/S-58 family & S-62 Military designations H-19 H-34 H-52 HO4S HRS HSS-1 HUS HU2S CH-126 Model numbers S-55 S-58 S-62 Licenseproduction Westland(UK) Wessex Whirlwind WS-55 Modifications Orlando OHA-S-55 Airliner Bearcat Defender Heavy Lifter Heli-Camper (I) Heli-Camper (II) Heli-Home (I) Heli-Home (II) Nite-Writer Piasecki PA-97 Helistat VAT Elite Primary names Chickasaw Choctaw Seabat Seaguard Seahorse Wessex Whirlwind Accidents and incidents Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698 (1960) 1975 Kjalarnes S-55B crash 1981 Bristow Helicopters Wessex crash 1993 Llyn Padarn Wessex crash Topics In fiction: S-55 S-58 Operators See also: Sikorsky S-61 family  • Sikorsky S-70 family v t e Sikorsky aircraft Fixed-wing aircraft (company designations) S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 S-13 S-14 S-15 S-16 S-17 S-18 S-19 S-20 S-21 S-22/23/24/25/26/27 S-28 S-29-A S-30 S-31 S-32 S-33 S-34 S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38 S-39 S-40 S-41 S-42 S-43 VS-44 S-45 Fixed-wing aircraft (military designations) C-6 C-28 JRS JR2S PS P2S RS XBLR-3 XPBS XSS XV-2 Helicopters (company designations) VS-300 (S-46) S-47 S-48 S-49 S-50 S-51 S-52 S-53 S-54 S-55 S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59 S-60 S-61 S-61L/N S-61R S-62 S-63 S-64 S-65 S-66 S-67 S-68 S-69 S-70 S-71 S-72 S-73 S-74 S-75 S-76 S-80 S-92 S-95 S-97 S-100 S-102 S-103 S-300 S-333 S-434 Helicopters (military designations) SH-3 Sea King HH-3E/F R-4 H-5 H-6 H-18 H-19 Chickasaw H-34 Choctaw CH-37 Mojave XH-39 HH-52A Seaguard CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K King Stallion MH-53 CH-54 Tarhe UH-60 Black Hawk HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60J/MH-60T MH-60R/S Seahawk SH-60B/F Seahawk H-60J/K VH-60 RAH-66 Comanche VH-92 Patriot CH-124 Sea King CH-148 Cyclone HLH Experimental aircraft Cypher/Cypher II Firefly Raider Raider X SB-1 X2 XBLR-3 XV-2 v t e United States helicopter designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems Numerical sequence used by USAAC/USAAF/USAF 1941–present; U.S. Army 1948–1956 and 1962–present; U.S. Navy 1962–present Army/Air Force sequence(1941–1962) Prefix R-, 1941–1948 R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-6 R-7 R-8 R-9 R-10 R-11 R-12 R-13 R-14 R-15 R-16 Prefix H-, 1948–1962 H-5 H-6 H-9 H-10 H-11 H-12 H-13 H-13J H-15 H-16 H-17 H-18 H-19 H-20 H-21 H-22 H-23 H-24 H-25 H-26 H-27 H-28 H-29 H-30 H-31 H-32 H-33 H-34 H-35 H-361 H-37 H-381 H-39 H-40 H-41 H-42 H-43 H-441 H-451 Tri-Service sequence(1962–present) 1962 redesignations H-13 H-13F H-13J H-19 H-21 H-23 H-25 H-34 H-37 H-43 New designations H-46 H-47 H-48 H-49 H-50 H-51 H-52 H-53 CH-53/E/K HH-53/MH-53 H-54 H-55 H-56 H-57 H-58 H-59 H-60 UH-60 SH-60 HH-60 MH-60 H-61 H-62 H-63 H-64 H-65 H-662 RAH-66 TH-66 H-67 H-68 H-691 H-70 H-71 H-72 H-73 Alternate sequence H-1 AH-1/J/T/W/Z UH-1/N/Y H-2 H-2G H-3 CH-3/HH-3 SH-3 H-4 H-5 H-6 AH-6 MH-6 OH-6 Non-sequential H-90 H-92 CH-92/VH-92 H-101 H-139 1 Not assigned  • 2 Assigned to multiple types v t e USN helicopter designations pre-1962 Helicopter, Anti-submarine Bell HSL Sikorsky HSS-1 HSS-2 Helicopter, Crane McDonnell HCH Helicopter, Observation Convertawings HOC Hiller HOE Gyrodyne HOG Kaman HOK Sikorsky HOS HO2S HO3S HO4S HO5S Helicopter, Trainer pre-1948 Sikorsky HNS Helicopter, Trainer 1948-1962 Hiller HTE Kaman HTK Bell HTL Helicopter, Transport 1944-1962 Boeing Vertol HRB McDonnell HRH Piasecki HRP Sikorsky HRS HR2S HR3S Helicopter, Utility pre-1949 McDonnell HJD McDonnell HJH Piasecki HJP Sikorsky HJS Helicopter, Utility 1950-1962 Kaman HUK HU2K Bell HUL McCulloch HUM Piasecki HUP Sikorsky HUS HU2S v t e Canadian Armed Forces post-1968 unified aircraft designations NumericalSequence 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 (I) 119 (II) 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 135 (second issue) 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151–1541 155 156 157 158–1591 160 161 162 163 164–1661 167 168 169 170 1711 172 173 174–1751 176 177 178 179–1871 188 189–2941 295 296–3291 330 Role Cargo (CC) CC-106 CC-108 CC-109 CC-115 CC-117 CC-123 CC-129 CC-130 CC-132 CC-137 CC-138 CC-141 CC-144 CC-150 CC-177 CC-295 CC-330 Fighters (CF) CF-100 CF-101 CF-103 CF-104 CF-105 CF-111 CF-116 CF-188 Helicopter (CH) CH-112 CH-113 CH-118 CH-124 CH-125 CH-126 CH-127 CH-135 CH-136 CH-139 CH-143 CH-146 CH-147 CH-148 CH-149 CH-178 Observation (CO) CO-119 (I) CO-119 (II) Patrol (CP) CP-107 CP-121 CP-122 CP-140 Search & Rescue (CSR) CSR-110 CSR-123 Trainer (CT) CT-102 CT-114 CT-120 CT-128 CT-133 CT-134 CT-135 CT-142 CT-145 CT-155 CT-156 CT-157 Unmanned (CU) CU-160 CU-161 CU-162 CU-163 CU-167 CU-168 CU-169 CU-170 CU-172 CU-173 CU-176 Experimental (CX) CX-131 1 Not assigned v t e Royal Thai Armed Forces helicopter designations H(Helicopter) H.1 A H.2 H.3 H.4 H.5 H.6 A B/C/E H.7 H.8 H.9 H.10 H.11 H.12 H.13 H.PhT(Mapping helicopter) H.PhT.1 H.PhT.2 H.TPh(Anti-surface ship helicopter) H.TPh.1 H.PD(Anti-submarine helicopter) H.PD.1 H.LL(Transport helicopter) H.LL.1 H.LL.2 H.LL.3 H.LL.4 H.LL.5

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