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Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw
Westland Wessex


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Designed to a U.S. Navy specification to replace the HO2S anti-submarine helicopter, the prototype XHSS-1 first flew in 1954.  Keeping the nose mounted R-1820, but with a new fuselage, main and tail rotors and transmission system, the HSS-1 Seabat (later SH-34) was a marked improvement over its predecessor.

The U.S. Marine Corps ordered the Seabat as a troop carrier redesignated the HUS-1 Seahorse (later UH-34).  The U.S. Army also purchased this helicopter using the designation H-34 Choctaw.  The type was exported widely and built under license in France and the UK.  The H-34 saw extensive service in Southeast Asia.

     
Specifications (H-34C)

Designations

 

 

 

Type: ASW/Transport Helicopter
Engines: one 1,425 hp (1063 kW) Wright R-1820-84 radial piston engine
S-58: Sikorsky model number
HSS-1: U.S. Navy Anti-Submarine Helicopter (named Seabat)
HUS-1: U.S. Marine Corps Utility Helicopter (named Seahorse)
H-34: U.S. Army Helicopter (named Choctaw)  This designation was also used by the other U.S. services after 1962.
Wessex: de Havilland Gnome powered version built by Westland (UK)
     

Related Pages

 

Related Websites

     
More about Sikorsky Aircraft
 
Vietnam Helicopter Association: UH-34D Photos
Wikipedia article
     

Stuff You Can Buy

 

Book:
Sikorsky H-34
Lennart Lunch

Display Model:
1/48 scale
mahogany
 

 

 

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© Kenneth W Shanaberger 2000 - 2010