Sikorsky Aircraft S-55 (H-19 Chickasaw)

Medium Utility Helicopter

Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw United States Air Force (USAF) 52-7537 © Karsten Palt
Photo ©: Karsten Palt
The Sikorsky S-55 is a medium single-engine utility helicopter with a capacity of max. 10 passengers built by the American manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. The military versions were the H-19 (US Air Force), HO4S (US Navy and Coast Guard) and HRS-1, HRS-2, HRS-3 (US Marine Corps).
Sikorsky built a total of 1281 aircraft of which 216 were civil helicopters. License production was carried out by Westland in England with a total of 477 helicopters. Further helicopters were license built by SNCASE in France and Mitsubishi in Japan. Some S-55 were later converted to a Turboshaft Engine variant with 650 shp and named S-55T.
Crew2
Passengers7
Propulsion1 Radial Engine
Engine ModelPratt & Whitney R-1340-3 Wasp
Engine Power520 kW697 hp
max. Cruise Speed163 km/h88 kts
  101 mph
max. Speed (vne)176 km/h95 kts
  109 mph
Service Ceiling3.200 m10.500 ft
Rate of climb223 m/min730 ft/min
Range644 km348 NM
400 mi.
Empty Weight2.177 kg4.800 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight3.583 kg7.900 lbs
Rotor Blades (main/tail)3/2
Main Rotor Diameter16,15 m52 ft 12 in
Tail Rotor Diameter2,50 m8 ft 2 in
Rotor Disc Area204,8 m²2204 ft²
Length (Fuselage)12,85 m42 ft 2 in
Length19,07 m62 ft 7 in
Height4,00 m13 ft 1 in
First Flight10.11.1949
Production Statusout of production
Total Productionca. 1900
ICAO CodeS55P S55T
FAA TCDS1H4
Data for (Version)Sikorsky S-55C
VariantsSikorsky S-55, S-55C, S-55D, YH-19, H-19A, H-19B, H-19C, H-19D, HO4S-1, HO4S-1G, HO4S-3, HO4S-3G, HRS-1, HRS-2, HRS-3

[Photo-ID: 6439] © Karsten Palt 2013-02-09
Sikorsky H-19A Chicasaw (S-55B), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), H3-3/97, c/n 55-757,© Karsten Palt, 2013Sikorsky
H-19A Chicasaw (S-55B)
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
Reg.: H3-3/97
c/n: 55-757
 
Royal Thai Air Force Museum [Bangkok]
[Photo-ID: 6440] © Karsten Palt 2013-02-09
Sikorsky H-19A Chicasaw (S-55B), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), H3-3/97, c/n 55-757,© Karsten Palt, 2013Sikorsky
H-19A Chicasaw (S-55B)
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
Reg.: H3-3/97
c/n: 55-757
 
Royal Thai Air Force Museum [Bangkok]
[Photo-ID: 3135] © Karsten Palt 2010-01-31
Sikorsky H-19B Chickasaw, United States Air Force (USAF), 53-4458, c/n 0-34458,© Karsten Palt, 2010Sikorsky
H-19B Chickasaw
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 53-4458
c/n: 0-34458
 
Deutsches Museum [Munich / München]
[Photo-ID: 3136] © Karsten Palt 2010-01-31
Sikorsky H-19B Chickasaw, United States Air Force (USAF), 53-4458, c/n 0-34458,© Karsten Palt, 2010Sikorsky
H-19B Chickasaw
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 53-4458
c/n: 0-34458
 
Deutsches Museum [Munich / München]
[Photo-ID: 7903] © Karsten Palt 2014-03-09
Sikorsky H-19C Chickasaw, United States Navy, 95, c/n 55-729,© Karsten Palt, 2014Sikorsky
H-19C Chickasaw
United States Navy
Reg.: 95
c/n: 55-729
 
Intrepid Air, Space & Sea Museum [New York City, NY]
[Photo-ID: 5766] © Karsten Palt 2012-04-29
Sikorsky HH-19B Chicasaw, Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), 34-425, c/n 55-764,© Karsten Palt, 2012Sikorsky
HH-19B Chicasaw
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
Reg.: 34-425
c/n: 55-764
 
The War Memorial of Korea [Seoul]
[Photo-ID: 5762] © Karsten Palt 2012-04-29
Sikorsky HH-19B Chicasaw, Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), 34-425, c/n 55-764,© Karsten Palt, 2012Sikorsky
HH-19B Chicasaw
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
Reg.: 34-425
c/n: 55-764
 
The War Memorial of Korea [Seoul]
[Photo-ID: 959] © Karsten Palt 2008-06-21
Sikorsky HO4S-3 (S-55B), Royal Netherlands Navy / Koninklijke Marine (MLD), 76, c/n 133777,© Karsten Palt, 2008Sikorsky
HO4S-3 (S-55B)
Royal Netherlands Navy / Koninklijke Marine (MLD)
Reg.: 76
c/n: 133777
 
Nationaal Luchtvaart-Themapark Aviodrome [Lelystad (EHLE / LEY)]
[Photo-ID: 5907] © Karsten Palt 2012-06-13
Sikorsky HRS-3 (CH-19E Chickasaw / S-55B), United States Marine Corps (USMC), 130252, c/n 55-408,© Karsten Palt, 2012Sikorsky
HRS-3 (CH-19E Chickasaw / S-55B)
United States Marine Corps (USMC)
Reg.: 130252
c/n: 55-408
 
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum [San Diego, CA]
[Photo-ID: 5908] © Karsten Palt 2012-06-13
Sikorsky HRS-3 (CH-19E Chickasaw / S-55B), United States Marine Corps (USMC), 130252, c/n 55-408,© Karsten Palt, 2012Sikorsky
HRS-3 (CH-19E Chickasaw / S-55B)
United States Marine Corps (USMC)
Reg.: 130252
c/n: 55-408
 
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum [San Diego, CA]
[Photo-ID: 13064] © Arjun Sarup 2012-04-08
Sikorsky Aircraft S-55 (H-19 Chickasaw), Indian Air Force, IZ1590, c/n 55-1077,© Arjun Sarup, 2012Sikorsky Aircraft
S-55 (H-19 Chickasaw)
Indian Air Force
Reg.: IZ1590
c/n: 55-1077
 
On display at IAF Museum Palam. Purchased from the USA in 1954 to equip No. 104 Helicopter Unit.
[Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP / DEL)]
[Photo-ID: 4363] © Karsten Palt 2011-06-30
Sikorsky S-55C, Royal Danish Air Force, S-884, c/n 55-1032,© Karsten Palt, 2011Sikorsky
S-55C
Royal Danish Air Force
Reg.: S-884
c/n: 55-1032
 
Danmarks Flymuseum [Stauning]
[Photo-ID: 4364] © Karsten Palt 2011-06-30
Sikorsky S-55C, Royal Danish Air Force, S-884, c/n 55-1032,© Karsten Palt, 2011Sikorsky
S-55C
Royal Danish Air Force
Reg.: S-884
c/n: 55-1032
 
Danmarks Flymuseum [Stauning]
[Photo-ID: 5516] © Karsten Palt 2012-01-11
Sikorsky UH-19B Chicasaw, United States Air Force (USAF), 52-7587, c/n ,© Karsten Palt, 2012Sikorsky
UH-19B Chicasaw
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 52-7587
 
National Museum of the United States Air Force [Dayton, Ohio / USA (Wright-Patterson AFB)]
[Photo-ID: 7651] © Karsten Palt 2013-08-16
Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw, Turkish Air Force, 52-7577, c/n 55-714,© Karsten Palt, 2013Sikorsky
UH-19B Chickasaw
Turkish Air Force
Reg.: 52-7577
c/n: 55-714
 
Turkish Air Force Museum [Yesilkoy, Istanbul]
[Photo-ID: 11201] © Karsten Palt 2015-06-03
Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw, United States Air Force (USAF), 52-7537, c/n ,© Karsten Palt, 2015Sikorsky
UH-19B Chickasaw
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 52-7537
 
ex N2256G
Pima Air and Space Museum [Tucson, AZ]
[Photo-ID: 1091] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-11
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10, Royal Air Force, XD163, c/n WA20,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XD163
c/n: WA20
 
converted Mk.4
The Helicopter Museum [Weston-super-Mare]
[Photo-ID: 1501] © Karsten Palt 2008-09-27
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10, Royal Air Force, XD186, c/n WA29,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XD186
c/n: WA29
 
Flugausstellung L.+P. Junior [Hermeskeil]
[Photo-ID: 4470] © Karsten Palt 2011-01-02
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10, Royal Air Force, XP339, c/n WA335,© Karsten Palt, 2011Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind HAR Mk.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XP339
c/n: WA335
 
Museum für Luftfahrt und Technik [Wernigerode]
[Photo-ID: 1092] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-11
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAS Mk.7, Royal Navy, XK940, c/n WA/H/167,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind HAS Mk.7
Royal Navy
Reg.: XK940
c/n: WA/H/167
 
The Helicopter Museum [Weston-super-Mare]
[Photo-ID: 1097] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-11
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HCC Mk.12, Royal Air Force, XR486, c/n WA418,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind HCC Mk.12
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XR486
c/n: WA418
 
RAF Queens Flight
The Helicopter Museum [Weston-super-Mare]
[Photo-ID: 10745] © Karsten Palt 2014-10-23
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 2, Spanish Air Force, ZD.1B-22, c/n WA560,© Karsten Palt, 2014Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind Series 2
Spanish Air Force
Reg.: ZD.1B-22
c/n: WA560
 
Museo del Aire [Madrid]
[Photo-ID: 1078] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-11
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3, Bristow Helicopters, G-AODA, c/n WA113,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3
Bristow Helicopters
Reg.: G-AODA
c/n: WA113
 
The Helicopter Museum [Weston-super-Mare]
[Photo-ID: 6894] © Karsten Palt 2013-05-17
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3, Bristow Helicopters, G-APWN, c/n WA298,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3
Bristow Helicopters
Reg.: G-APWN
c/n: WA298
 
Midland Air Museum [Coventry]
[Photo-ID: 7676] © Karsten Palt 2013-09-19
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3, Bristow Helicopters, VR-BEP, c/n WA83,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55 Whirlwind Series 3
Bristow Helicopters
Reg.: VR-BEP
c/n: WA83
 
in RAF Rescue c/s, ex Royal Navy XG588, ex G-BAMH
East Midlands Airport Aeropark [Castle Donington]
[Photo-ID: 7012] © Karsten Palt 2013-05-18
Westland WS-55-1 Whirlwind HAR.1, Royal Navy, XA870, c/n WA16,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55-1 Whirlwind HAR.1
Royal Navy
Reg.: XA870
c/n: WA16
 
South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum [Doncaster]
[Photo-ID: 13140] © Karsten Palt 2016-07-10
Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS.7, Royal Navy, XK936, c/n WA163,© Karsten Palt, 2016Westland
WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS.7
Royal Navy
Reg.: XK936
c/n: WA163
 
Imperial War Museum [Duxford Aerodrome (EGSU / QFO)]
[Photo-ID: 6982] © Karsten Palt 2013-05-18
Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS.7, Royal Navy, XM685, c/n WA263,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS.7
Royal Navy
Reg.: XM685
c/n: WA263
 
Newark Air Museum [Winthorpe, Newark]
[Photo-ID: 1295] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-16
Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7, Royal Navy, XK936, c/n WA163,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7
Royal Navy
Reg.: XK936
c/n: WA163
 
Imperial War Museum [Duxford Aerodrome (EGSU / QFO)]
[Photo-ID: 1053] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-10
Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7, Royal Navy, XN299, c/n WA279,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7
Royal Navy
Reg.: XN299
c/n: WA279
 
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum [Tangmere]
[Photo-ID: 7013] © Karsten Palt 2013-05-18
Westland WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10, Royal Air Force, XJ398, c/n WA62,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XJ398
c/n: WA62
 
South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum [Doncaster]
[Photo-ID: 1297] © Karsten Palt 2008-07-16
Westland WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10, Royal Air Force, XP299, c/n WA342,© Karsten Palt, 2008Westland
WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XP299
c/n: WA342
 
Royal Air Force Museum [London-Hendon]
[Photo-ID: 7014] © Karsten Palt 2013-05-18
Westland WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10, Royal Air Force, XP345, c/n WA361,© Karsten Palt, 2013Westland
WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR.10
Royal Air Force
Reg.: XP345
c/n: WA361
 
South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum [Doncaster]
[Photo-ID: 10358] © Karsten Palt 2014-05-28
Sikorsky YH-19 (S-55), , N4782D, c/n 1,© Karsten Palt, 2014Sikorsky
YH-19 (S-55)
Reg.: N4782D
c/n: 1
 
first S-55 built
NASM Udvar Hazy Center [Chantilly, VA]