Sikorsky HO3S-1

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation · USA · first flew 1946 · helicopter

The HO3S-1 was the main US Navy production variant of the Sikorsky S-51, widely used for plane-guard rescue and observation from aircraft carriers and other warships during the Korean War era. It was one of the most important early naval helicopters.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × piston, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	No tailplane

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Primary US Navy S-51 variant
Rescue hoist-equipped shipboard helicopter
Large Plexiglas nose bubble

Four-seat helicopter with a prominent Plexiglas bubble nose, circular engine compartment behind the cabin, three-bladed main rotor, and fixed undercarriage; the large glazed nose is the most distinctive recognition feature.

Specifications

The Sikorsky HO3S-1 has a length of 12.5 m (41 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.9 m (49 ft).
Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The HO3S-1 entered Navy service in the late 1940s and proved its value during the Korean War, rescuing downed pilots from both land and water. It served alongside US Marine Corps units and helped establish the helicopter's essential role in naval aviation.

Variants

The HO3S-1 was the principal Navy variant; the HO3S-1G was a Coast Guard version. Westland built the S-51 under licence in the UK as the Dragonfly, serving with the Royal Navy and RAF.

Where you'll see it

Served extensively with the US Navy and Coast Guard from 1947 into the mid-1950s; the Royal Navy's Westland Dragonfly performed similar duties and saw action during the Malayan Emergency.

Related aircraft

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