Historical Essays
Model		Qty Built	First Flight	Comments
UTILITY HELICOPTER     "Sikorsky Utility Helicopters, A hard Beginning" A Historical essay describing the evolution of the Utility Helicopter overcoming design obstacles. S-46 VS-300 1 9/14/1939 Also known as the VS-300 (VS for Vought Sikorsky). Sikorsky’s first modern helicopter had four major configurations and many minor variations. S-47 100th RB4 131 1/14/1942 Military designations R-4 & HNS-1. First production helicopter, a two seat development of the S-46. S-47 R-4 COAST GUARD 131 1/14/1942 Military designations R-4 & HNS-1. First production helicopter, a two seat development of the S-46. S-47 FIRST MILITARY 131 1/14/1942 Military designations R-4 & HNS-1. First production helicopter, a two seat development of the S-46. S-48 CIVILIAN RESCUE 65 8/18/1943 Military designations R-5, H-5 & HO2S. Two seat tandem cockpit, capable of carrying litters on either side of the cabin. S-51 NAVAL RESCUE 379 2/16/1946 Military designation HO3S-1. Seating for 3 passengers and a pilot. Of the total produced, 159 were built by licensee(s). VS-44A FLYING BOAT     The Sikorsky VS-44A Flying Boat, a large transport aircraft, had a range of about 4000 miles. One of three aircraft built for the American Export Airline that were dubbed the "Flying Aces"and carried the name "Excambian" .In 1968 the aircraft was extensively damage and retired from service by Antilles Air and donated to the Naval Aviation Museum that put her on permanent loan to the New England Air Museum. It is currently on display at the NEAM following a ten year restoration by volunteers sponsored by Sikorsky Aircraft.

 

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