Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
Family of utility helicopters / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw (company model number S-55) is a multi-purpose piston-engined helicopter that was 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. United States Navy and United States Coast Guard models were designated HO4S, while those of the U.S. Marine Corps were designated HRS. In 1962, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps versions were all redesignated as H-19s like their U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force counterparts.
H-19 Chickasaw / S-55 | |
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An Army UH-19D Chickasaw | |
Role | Utility helicopter |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
First flight | 10 November 1949 |
Introduction | 16 April 1950 (U.S. Air Force) |
Retired | 26 February 1969 (U.S. Navy) |
Primary users | United States Army United States Air Force United States Navy United States Coast Guard |
Number built | 1,728[1] |
Variants | Westland Whirlwind |
Developed into | Sikorsky H-34 (S-58 / Wessex) |
The H-19 pioneered the use of a nose-mounted radial engine powering a single fully articulated main rotor located above the cabin, which helped maintain a proper center of gravity under varying loading conditions without requiring ballast to maintain longitudinal stability as with prior Sikorsky designs. This layout gave the H-19 series a characteristic bulbous-nosed appearance and made it one of the first truly successful single-rotor utility helicopters, leading to a number of derivative designs including the Sikorsky H-34, which was produced in even greater numbers. The H-19 had a long military career worldwide in the late 20th century and also proved popular with civil operators.