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Sikorsky S-51

The Sikorsky HO3S-1 was a version of the S-51 model delivered to the United States Navy for Military Use.

The Sikorsky S-51 made its first flight on February 16, 1946, propelled for a

450 HP Pratt & Whitney engine. As distinctive features with previous models, this one featured a nose wheel, a widened fuselage to transport up to three passengers, and an increase in the size of the main rotor.



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With a maximum take-off weight of 2812 kg, the first deliveries were made in August 1946, with several versions being made for military use, among which the R-4F, of which up to 11 units were built in 1947 for the USAF, the HO3S version -1, with a total of 88 units manufactured for the US Navy, and the HO3-S1G, with nine units destined to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Piloted by Commander Sessums, the HO3S-1 became the first helicopter to fly over Antarctica in 1946. At the end of 1946, the US Navy ordered its first four units of the Sikorsky S-51 helicopter for later use in Antarctica. To distinguish them from those for civilian use, they were incorporated into their fleet under HO3S-1On board the Pine Island helicopter carrier, commander Walter M. Sessums flew with the HO3S-1 through Antarctica on Christmas Day, 1946, becoming the first helicopter to fly over that territory.

This feat is not surprising if one takes it into

an account that it was already an ancestor of the S-51 that carried out the first maritime rescue by helicopter on November 29, 1945.

In addition, it should be added that the S-51 was also a pioneer in establishing the first airmail service by helicopter, initiated by Los Angeles Airway on October 1, 1947.



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The total production reached 88 units and continued manufacturing as Dragonfly.

Given the capabilities of the HO3S-1, in 1948, the U.S. Navy acquired a total of 42 more units to incorporate into its warships, including airplanes and hydro aircraft carriers.

In February 1948, six HO3S-1 were already part of the Navy’s first regular helicopter transport squadron, which eventually acquired 88 units.

The civil variant S-51 continued to be manufactured years later in Great Britain with a propulsion plant of 520 CV under Dragonfly.

The HO3S-1 123133, participant survivor of the War of the area of 1950.

The Sikorsky HO3S-1, with four seats of capacity, was present in the war between North Korea and South Korea between June 25, 1950, and July 17, 1953.

The group of the Navy of The USA. Known as MAG-33, he participated in the

war with a fleet that incorporated squadrons of VMF-323 and VMF-214, OY-2 observation aircraft, and Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopters, among many other aircraft.

These were very useful since they were transported in the main sea ships, such as the Bon Homme Richard, which allowed numerous rescue tasks of United Nations pilots on enemy lines.

In 1957 the last HO3S-1 helicopters still active in the US Navy were removed, among which was the current survivor of the Korean conflict: the HO3S-1 with S / N: 123133.



All the components of this HO3S-1 helicopter, with the number series 123133,

have been revised and placed at 00:00 hours according to the Sikorsky maintenance manual.

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