H-34 Choctaw
Encyclopedia
The Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw (Company designation S-58) was a piston-engined military helicopter originally designed by American
aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky
for the United States Navy
for service in the anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) role.
Sikorsky H-34s have since served mostly as medium transports on every continent with the armed forces of twenty-five countries — from combat in Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and throughout Southeast Asia, to saving flood victims, recovering astronauts, fighting fires, and carrying presidents. As one of the last piston-powered helicopter designs before its replacement by turbine-powered types such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-46 Sea Knight, it would see a remarkably long run of 2,108 H-34s produced between 1953 and 1970.
It would see extended use when adapted to turbine power by the British licencee as the Westland Wessex
and Sikorsky as the later S-58T. The British did not retire the Wessex until 2003
as the main transport helicopter; it was replaced by the Aérospatiale Puma
.
, 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 piston engine with the drive shaft passing 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 it 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 significantly greater comfort.
A total of 135 H-34s were built in the U.S. and assembled by Sud-Aviation in France, 166 were produced under licence in France by Sud-Aviation for the French Air Force, Navy and Army Aviation (ALAT).
The CH-34 was also built and developed under license from 1958 in the United Kingdom
by Westland Aircraft
as the turbine 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.
flew the HUS-1G (later HH-34F) helicopter, with inflatable flotation gear, from 1959 to 1962.
After the introduction of the Sikorsky S-61 Sea King for ASW duties, some Seabats were stripped of ASW gear for utility duties, being designated UH-34G or UH-34J. A batch of 14 Navy UH-34Js was handed over to the USAF for the SAR role, being redesignated HH-34J.
Four HUS-1L (later LH-34D) were ordered for Arctic operations, and five HUS-1Z (later VH-34D) VIP machines were ordered for the Presidential Flight Detachment.
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, however a quantity were supplied to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. These saw little use due lack of spare parts and maintenance.
The USMC continued to use the H-34 pattern, even after the U.S. Army had phased it out. Even after the USMC adopted their own version of the UH-1, the UH-1E, the CH-34s continued to be used up to and for a period after the Tet Offensive in 1968. They were often armed, with a machine gun on a flexible door mount or window mount, initially a Browning 7.62 millimeter later replaced by the lighter 7.62 millimeter M60. Armor was also eventually added to protect the engine and crew.
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 USMC vernacular, being used even after the type was no longer in use to mean "help me out".
USMC H-34s were also among the first gunship helicopters 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.
On August 18, 1969, the last Marine UH-34D in Vietnam was retired from HMM-362
at Phu Bai. During that period, enemy action and accidents downed 134 helicopters. Most of the twenty surviving CH-34 helicopters were turned over to the South Vietnamese during the course of the war, though a few were ultimately reclaimed by the Army prior to the final collapse of the Saigon Government.
, Army Reserve
and Army National Guard
aviation units until replaced by the UH-1 Iroquois
utility helicopter. Sikorsky production ceased in 1968, with 1,821 built. On 3 September 1973, the last flight of a USMC UH-34 occurred as bureau number 147191 was flown to MCAS New River. All H-34 helicopters were retired from service in the U.S. military by the early 1970s.
France bought 134 Choctaws in parts from the United States and assembled by Sud-Aviation. A further 166 were manufactured later locally for the French Army, Navy and Air force, these again produced by Sud-Aviation.
and recommended the acquisition of the Sikorsky S-58 and on 13 February 1958, the first pair arrived in Israel, followed by another helicopter in March. The "Rolling Sword" squadron, which operated all IAF
helicopters at the time, operated only a few examples until 1962 when 24 S-58s earmarked for the West German air force
were covertly routed to Israel.
At the outbreak of the Six Days War the "Rolling Sword" squadron had 28 airworthy S-58s. The helicopters began the war evacuating downed pilots, but became more involved as the ground war progressed. On the night of 5-6 June, the S-58s airlifted 600 soldiers behind Egyptian lines in the center of the Sinai Peninsula
after Israeli armor had met fierce resistance. This ground force destroyed an Egyptian artillery position, hastening the collapse of the Egyptian front. On 7 June, S-58s were tasked with airlifting Israeli paratroops
to capture the southernmost point in the Sinai, Sharm el-Sheikh
, but arrived at the site to find it abandoned.
During the final operation of the war, the conquest of the Golan Heights from the Syrians, the S-58s flew Israeli paratroops in to take control of the southern Golan. In three separate airlifts on June 9-10, the paratroops were inserted behind Syrian lines and attacked retreating Syrian forces.
The S-58 continued to fly combat missions after the end of the war, mainly against Palestinians infiltrating Israel or against their bases in Jordan. On 21 March 1968, they participated in the Battle of Karameh
, bringing Israeli troops in and out as well as evacuating the wounded. This was the last operation of the S-58 as it was retired shortly later, replaced by the Bell 205
and Aérospatiale Super Frelon
.
JH-34A
VH-34A
H-34B
H-34C
JH-34C
VH-34C
HH-34D
LH-34D
UH-34D
VH-34D
UH-34E
HH-34F
YSH-34G
SH-34G
SH-34H
YSH-34J
SH-34J
UH-34J
HH-34J
VH-34J
XHSS-1 Seabat
HSS-1 Seabat
HSS-1F Seabat
YHSS-1N Seabat
HSS-1N Seabat
HUS-1 Seahorse
HUS-1A Seahorse
HUS-1G Seahorse
HUS-1L Seahorse
HUS-1Z Seahorse
S-58
S-58B
S-58C
S-58D
S-58T
S-58 Heli-Camper
Orlando Airliner
State of Katanga
South Vietnam
(Taiwan)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for service in the anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
(ASW) role.
Sikorsky H-34s have since served mostly as medium transports on every continent with the armed forces of twenty-five countries — from combat in Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and throughout Southeast Asia, to saving flood victims, recovering astronauts, fighting fires, and carrying presidents. As one of the last piston-powered helicopter designs before its replacement by turbine-powered types such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-46 Sea Knight, it would see a remarkably long run of 2,108 H-34s produced between 1953 and 1970.
It would see extended use when adapted to turbine power by the British licencee as the Westland Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
and Sikorsky as the later S-58T. The British did not retire the Wessex until 2003
2003 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 2003:-January:* January 8 – The Turkish Airlines Avro RJ100 Konya, operating as Flight 634, crashes in thick fog while on final approach to land at Diyarbakır Airport in Diyarbakır, Turkey...
as the main transport helicopter; it was replaced by the Aérospatiale Puma
Aérospatiale Puma
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
.
Development
The Sikorsky S-58 was developed as essentially a lengthened and more powerful version of the Sikorsky (model S-55) or UH-19 ChickasawH-19 Chickasaw
For other uses of "H19" see H19 .The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw, was a multi-purpose helicopter used by the United States Army and United States Air Force. It was also license-built by Westland Aircraft as the Westland Whirlwind in the United Kingdom...
, 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 piston engine with the drive shaft passing 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
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
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
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(USMC) and United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
(USCG) aircraft. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps, respectively, ordered it in 1955 and 1957. Under the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's aircraft designation system, also used by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, 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 it standard configuration transport versions could carry 12 to 16 troops, or eight stretcher
Stretcher
A stretcher is a medical device used to carry casualties or an incapacitated person from one place to another. It is a simple type of litter, and still called by that name in some cases....
cases if utilized in the MedEvac
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
role, while VIP transports carried significantly fewer people in significantly greater comfort.
A total of 135 H-34s were built in the U.S. and assembled by Sud-Aviation in France, 166 were produced under licence in France by Sud-Aviation for the French Air Force, Navy and Army Aviation (ALAT).
The CH-34 was also built and developed under license from 1958 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil in Somerset. Formed as a separate company by separation from Petters Ltd just before the start of the Second World War, Westland had been building aircraft since 1915...
as the turbine engined Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
which was used by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. 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
US Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
flew the HUS-1G (later HH-34F) helicopter, with inflatable flotation gear, from 1959 to 1962.
US Marine Corps
The USMC also obtained a variant with inflatable flotation gear designated HUS-1A ("UH-34E"), equivalent to US Coast Guard helicopters.US Navy
The HSS-1 Seabat could carry an AN/AQS-4 or -5 dipping sonar, and a homing torpedo or depth charge on each side of the fuselage. Another possible external store was a 568 liter (150 US gallon) external tank. The US Navy helicopter developed a night-capable subvariant, the "HSS-1N" ("SH-34J"), which featured Doppler navigation radar, plus an automatic stabilization system.After the introduction of the Sikorsky S-61 Sea King for ASW duties, some Seabats were stripped of ASW gear for utility duties, being designated UH-34G or UH-34J. A batch of 14 Navy UH-34Js was handed over to the USAF for the SAR role, being redesignated HH-34J.
US Army
The US Army liked the S-58, ordering it as the H-34A, H-34B and H-34C Choctaw, later named CH. The H-34A could carry 16 troops or 8 stretchers.Four HUS-1L (later LH-34D) were ordered for Arctic operations, and five HUS-1Z (later VH-34D) VIP machines were ordered for the Presidential Flight Detachment.
Vietnam War
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 ShawneeCH-21 Shawnee
The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee is an American helicopter, the fourth of a line of tandem rotor helicopters designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter . Commonly called the "flying banana", it was a multi-mission helicopter, utilizing wheels, skis, or floats.The H-21 was originally developed by...
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, however a quantity were supplied to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. These saw little use due lack of spare parts and maintenance.
The USMC continued to use the H-34 pattern, even after the U.S. Army had phased it out. Even after the USMC adopted their own version of the UH-1, the UH-1E, the CH-34s continued to be used up to and for a period after the Tet Offensive in 1968. They were often armed, with a machine gun on a flexible door mount or window mount, initially a Browning 7.62 millimeter later replaced by the lighter 7.62 millimeter M60. Armor was also eventually added to protect the engine and crew.
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 USMC vernacular, being used even after the type was no longer in use to mean "help me out".
USMC H-34s were also among the first gunship helicopters trialled in theatre, being fitted with the Temporary Kit-1 (TK-1), comprising two M60C machine guns
M60 machine gun
The M60 is a family of American general-purpose machine guns firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links...
and two 19 shot 2.75 inch rocket
Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
The Mk 4 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket , sometimes called the Mighty Mouse, was a 2.75 in diameter unguided rocket weapon commonly used by U.S. military aircraft. It was intended as an air-to-air weapon to allow interceptor aircraft to shoot down enemy bombers with greater range and effectiveness than...
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.
On August 18, 1969, the last Marine UH-34D in Vietnam was retired from HMM-362
HMH-362
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of ten CH-53D Sea Stallion assault support helicopters and 220 Marines and Sailors...
at Phu Bai. During that period, enemy action and accidents downed 134 helicopters. Most of the twenty surviving CH-34 helicopters were turned over to the South Vietnamese during the course of the war, though a few were ultimately reclaimed by the Army prior to the final collapse of the Saigon Government.
Post-Vietnam War
The H-34 remained in service with United States Army and Marine Corps aviation units well into the late 1960s, and was standard equipment in Marine Corps ReserveUnited States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
, Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
and Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
aviation units until replaced by the UH-1 Iroquois
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
utility helicopter. Sikorsky production ceased in 1968, with 1,821 built. On 3 September 1973, the last flight of a USMC UH-34 occurred as bureau number 147191 was flown to MCAS New River. All H-34 helicopters were retired from service in the U.S. military by the early 1970s.
France
The French Navy and Armée de l’Air adopted the SH-34 Seabat and H-34, using the helicopter during the Algerian War of 1956-62. The French operated their Sikorsky S- 58s in troop insertions/extractions, medical evacuations, SAR, and resupply missions throughout Algeria, especially in the mountain strongholds of the rebels. Their crews wore bullet-proof vests and some armor was added.France bought 134 Choctaws in parts from the United States and assembled by Sud-Aviation. A further 166 were manufactured later locally for the French Army, Navy and Air force, these again produced by Sud-Aviation.
United Kingdom
The Wessex saw considerable combat service with the British. The RAF used them in Northern Ireland, Aden, Oman and in the counter-insurgency operation in Malaysia in the early 1960s. The Wessex also saw combat with the RN and Royal marines in the 1982 Falklands War, with a HAS.3 disabling an Argentinian submarine SANTA with depth charges and machine-gun fire. The Wessex went on in UK military service into the early 1990s.Israel
A joint air force/paratroops delegation studied helicopters used by the French Army AviationFrench Army Light Aviation
The French Army Light Aviation is the aviation service of the French Army.-History:The French Army Light Aviation was established on 22 November 1954 for observation, reconnaissance, assault and supply duties.-Composition:...
and recommended the acquisition of the Sikorsky S-58 and on 13 February 1958, the first pair arrived in Israel, followed by another helicopter in March. The "Rolling Sword" squadron, which operated all IAF
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
helicopters at the time, operated only a few examples until 1962 when 24 S-58s earmarked for the West German air force
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
were covertly routed to Israel.
At the outbreak of the Six Days War the "Rolling Sword" squadron had 28 airworthy S-58s. The helicopters began the war evacuating downed pilots, but became more involved as the ground war progressed. On the night of 5-6 June, the S-58s airlifted 600 soldiers behind Egyptian lines in the center of the Sinai Peninsula
Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about in area. It is situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, and is the only part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa, effectively serving as a land bridge between two...
after Israeli armor had met fierce resistance. This ground force destroyed an Egyptian artillery position, hastening the collapse of the Egyptian front. On 7 June, S-58s were tasked with airlifting Israeli paratroops
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
to capture the southernmost point in the Sinai, Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh is a city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 35,000...
, but arrived at the site to find it abandoned.
During the final operation of the war, the conquest of the Golan Heights from the Syrians, the S-58s flew Israeli paratroops in to take control of the southern Golan. In three separate airlifts on June 9-10, the paratroops were inserted behind Syrian lines and attacked retreating Syrian forces.
The S-58 continued to fly combat missions after the end of the war, mainly against Palestinians infiltrating Israel or against their bases in Jordan. On 21 March 1968, they participated in the Battle of Karameh
Battle of Karameh
The Battle of Karameh was fought on March 21, 1968 in the town of Karameh, Jordan, between the Israel Defense Forces and combined forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Jordanian Army...
, bringing Israeli troops in and out as well as evacuating the wounded. This was the last operation of the S-58 as it was retired shortly later, replaced by the Bell 205
Bell 204/205
The Bell 204 and 205 are the civil versions of the ubiquitous UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopters. They are type-certificated in the transport category and are used in a wide variety of applications, including crop dusting, cargo lifting, and one of its most common uses, aerial...
and Aérospatiale Super Frelon
Aérospatiale Super Frelon
The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....
.
Civilian use
- The H-34's lift capacity was just sufficient to lift a MercuryProject MercuryIn January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
capsule. In 1961, the hatch of Mercury 4Mercury-Redstone 4Mercury-Redstone 4 was the second United States manned space mission, launched on July 21, 1961. The Mercury program suborbital flight used a Redstone rocket. The spacecraft was named Liberty Bell 7 piloted by astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom. It reached an altitude of more than 118.26 mi ...
was prematurely detached and the capsule was filled with seawater. That extra weight was too much for the H-34 and Liberty Bell 7 was emergency released and sank in deep water). - In the 1990s, an S-58ET called Miss Piggy from "New York Helicopter" flew passengers from JFK International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
to East 34th Street HeliportEast 34th Street HeliportEast 34th Street Heliport is a heliport on the east side of Manhattan located between the East River and the FDR Drive viaduct. Also known as the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street, it is a public heliport owned by New York City and run by the Economic Development Corporation.The East 34th...
, New YorkNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. - H-34 have been used by forest firefighting contractors in OntarioMinistry of Natural Resources (Ontario)The Ministry of Natural Resources is a government ministry of the Canadian province of Ontario that responsible for Ontario’s provincial parks, forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates and the Crown lands and waters that make up 87 per cent of the province...
. - At least one S-58 was purchased for civilian use by OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
-based Columbia HelicoptersColumbia HelicoptersColumbia Helicopters, Incorporated, or CHI, is an aircraft manufacturing and operator company based in Aurora, Oregon, United States. They are known for operating tandem rotor helicopters; in present times, exclusively the Boeing Vertol 107 and Boeing 234. These helicopters are used in...
in the 1960s. - In 1968, an S-58 was used to remove the wreckage of a Bell 47 G2 helicopter from the top of UluruUluruUluru , also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park....
(Ayers Rock) in central Australia. - The 1980s television series RiptideRiptide (TV series)Riptide is a TV detective series that ran on NBC from 1983 to 1986, starring Perry King, Joe Penny, and Thom Bray. Riptide was created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The main theme was composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter...
featured a military-surplus H-34 called "The Screaming Mimi".
Variants
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.
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 ASWAnti-submarine warfareAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
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.
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-6VXE-6VXE-6, Antarctic Development Squadron 6 , commonly referred to by its nickname, The Puckered Penguins was a United States Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica...
, 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.
S-58
- Commercial designation for basic cargo variant
S-58B
- Commercial designation for improved cargo variant
S-58C
- Commercial passenger transport/airliner version
S-58D
- Commercial airliner/freighter version
S-58T
- Commercial conversions to turboshaft power by Sikorsky, Orlando Helicopter, and California Helicopter.
S-58 Heli-Camper
- Commercial conversion, fitted with a Wright Cyclone R-1820-24 engine.
Orlando Airliner
- Commercial conversion. 18-seat passenger transport helicopter.
Operators
- Argentine Naval AviationArgentine Naval AviationThe Argentine Naval Aviation is the naval aviation branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands...
- Belgian NavyBelgian NavyThe Marine Component of the Belgian Army, formerly the Belgian Naval Force, is the naval service of Belgium.-Early history:The Belgian Navy was created as the Marine Royale in 1831. This force has operated in various forms throughout Belgian history.When after the Belgian Revolution, the country...
- French ArmyFrench ArmyThe French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
- French NavyFrench NavyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
- LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
- German ArmyGerman ArmyThe German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
- German NavyGerman NavyThe German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
- Haiti Air CorpsArmed Forces of HaitiThe Armed Forces of Haiti, , consisted of the Haitian Army, Haitian Navy , Haitian Coast Guard, the Haitian Air Force, and some police forces . The Army was always the dominant service with the others serving primarily in a support role...
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceJapan Maritime Self-Defense ForceThe , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
- Japan Coast GuardJapan Coast GuardThe , formerly the Maritime Safety Agency, is the Japanese coast guard. Comprising about 12,000 personnel, it is under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and is responsible for the protection the coast-lines of Japan...
State of Katanga- Royal Lao Air ForceRoyal Lao Air ForceThe Royal Lao Air Force was the air force branch of the Military of the Royal Lao Government in the Kingdom of Laos. The RLAF, along with the Royal Lao Navy, and the Royal Lao Army, were placed under the control of the Ministry of Defense in Vientiane....
- Dutch Naval Aviation Service
South Vietnam
- Vietnam Air ForceVietnam Air ForceThe Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
total of 34 CH-34 for KingBee 219th Squadron.
(Taiwan)
- U.S. Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- U.S ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
- U.S. Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
- U.S. NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
- U.S. Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Accidents and incidents
- 27 July 1960 Chicago Helicopter Airways Flight 698 a S-58C registered N879 crashed into Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IllinoisForest Park, IllinoisForest Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in the United States. The population was 15,688 at the 2000 census...
, 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 rotorHelicopter rotorA helicopter main rotor or rotor system is a type of fan that is used to generate both the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and thrust which counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight...
blade.
- 13 March 2011 Sikorsky S-58ET, N33602, suffered an engine failure, descended and veered off the side of an office building in El Segundo, CaliforniaEl Segundo, CaliforniaEl Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located on the Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and is one of the Beach Cities of Los Angeles County and part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments...
, while lifting an external load from the roof. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, 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.
Aircraft on display
- There is a UH-34D Seahorse on display on the flight deck of the at the Patriot's PointPatriot's PointPatriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston.-Museum ships and exhibits:...
Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. - Sikorsky S-58T, H4K-64/30 / 20117 (cn 58-1117) at the Royal Thai Air Force MuseumRoyal Thai Air Force Museum-Overview:The Royal Thai Air Force Museum is located in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on the Phanonyothin road just to the south of Wing 6 of the domestic terminal of the Don Muang Airport. The museum is open daily from 8am to 4pm....
, Bangkok, Thailand. - Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse (S-58A) 150556 (cn 58-1683) at Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Sikorsky 1954 H-34C Choctaw Serial # 054496 located at Carolinas Aviation MuseumCarolinas Aviation MuseumThe Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the...
in Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. - 1958 Sikorsky UH-34J Sea Bat Serial #145694 at the Wings of Freedom Aviation MuseumWings of Freedom Aviation MuseumThe Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum is a non-profit museum in Horsham, Pennsylvania. It is adjacent to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove...
, Naval Air Station Willow GroveNaval Air Station Willow GroveNaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove or NASJRB Willow Grove was a Naval Air Station owned by the U.S. Navy and located in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States four miles northwest of the central business district of Willow Grove, which is north of...
, Willow Grove, PennsylvaniaWillow Grove, PennsylvaniaWillow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...