Sikorsky H-5

Sikorsky H-5
Country	USA
Role	Helicopter
First flight	18 August 1943
Built	300+

The Sikorsky H-5, (initially designated R-5 and also known as S-48, S-51 and by company designation VS-327) was a helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It was used by the United States Air Force, and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard (with the designations HO2S and HO3S). It was also used by the United States Post Office Department. In December 1946, an agreement was signed between the British company Westland Aircraft and Sikorsky to produce a British version of the H-5, to be manufactured under license in Britain as the Westland-Sikorsky WS-51 Dragonfly. By the time production ceased in 1951, more than 300 examples of all types of the H-5 had been built.

Source: Sikorsky H-5 on Wikipedia

Sikorsky HOS3-1G Dragonfly Walk Around
Photographers	Randy Ray
Localisation	Evergreen Air Museum
Photos	20

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Sikorsky H-5 08

Sikorsky H-5 10

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Sikorsky S-51 Helicopter Walk Around
Photographers	Bill Maloney
Localisation	American Helicopter Museum
Photos	18

Westland WS-51 Dragonfly Walk Around
Photographer	Bill Maloney
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	19

Sikorsky H-5 Walk Around
Photographer	Richard Bullock
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	20

The Dawn of Modern Rescue

The Sikorsky H-5 (originally designated the R-5) was the successor to the boxy, experimental R-4. It was designed to provide significantly more power, speed, and payload, making it the first helicopter truly capable of professional search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuation missions. While its civilian counterpart, the S-51, was the first helicopter sold to a commercial user, the H-5 earned its legendary status in the rugged mountains of Korea, where it rescued hundreds of downed pilots and wounded soldiers.

Attribute	Technical Specification (H-5A / S-51)
Role	Search and Rescue (SAR) / Utility / Medevac
Crew	1–2 Pilots (plus 2–3 Passengers)
First Flight	August 18, 1943 (XR-5) / February 16, 1946 (S-51)
Powerplant	1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5 Wasp Junior radial
Horsepower	450 hp (336 kW)
Maximum Speed	106 mph (171 km/h)
Main Rotor Diameter	48 ft (14.6 m)
Range	360 miles (580 km)

Engineering Milestones and Rescue Gear

The Rescue Hoist: The H-5 was one of the first helicopters to be routinely equipped with an external winch. This allowed crews to pluck pilots out of the water or deep jungle without having to find a landing spot.
External Litters: Because the internal cabin was cramped, the H-5 used aerodynamic “capsules” or open stretchers mounted on the outside of the fuselage. Wounded men were essentially strapped to the sides of the helicopter for transport to field hospitals.
Articulated Rotor Head: The H-5 utilized a three-bladed, fully articulated main rotor. This design allowed the blades to move independently (flapping and lead-lag), which significantly reduced vibration compared to earlier two-bladed models.
The “Double Control” Conversion: Early military versions had tandem (front-to-back) seating. Later modifications allowed for dual controls, making it an excellent trainer for the first generation of military helicopter pilots.

Operational History: “The Bridges at Toko-Ri”

The First Naval Rescue: In February 1947, a Sikorsky S-51 performed the first-ever helicopter rescue of a Navy pilot who had crashed into the sea during carrier operations, proving the “plane guard” concept.
Korea: The First Helicopter War: The H-5 (AF) and HO3S-1 (Navy/Marines) were the workhorses of the Korean War. They were the “angels” that pilots looked for when they went down behind enemy lines. Their success led directly to the formation of dedicated rescue squadrons.
Cultural Icon: The H-5 became a household name through the movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, which accurately depicted the dangerous, low-level rescue missions flown by Navy pilots in the HO3S-1.
License to Britain: In 1947, Westland Aircraft in the UK licensed the design, producing it as the Dragonfly. This version used a British Alvis Leonides engine and served the Royal Navy and RAF for years.