Sikorsky SH-34D Seahorse/Seabat

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Sikorsky SH-34D Seahorse/Seabat
Sikorsky SH-34D Seahorse/Seabat

The success of Sikorsky's H-19 Chickasaw saw the company explore a lengthened version with a more powerful engine. It used a more conventional (for the time) configuration with a tailwheel rather than the four main gears of the Chickasaw, and could carry more troops, equipment and fuel. As it offered the same reliability and basic use of the H-19, the H-34 was quick to find orders. The US Navy was the first customer, using it for two roles: antisubmarine (designated HSS-1 Seabat) and cargo (HUS-1 Seahorse); the latter was quickly adopted by the US Marine Corps as an assault transport. The H-34 was also exported to be license-built in France and in the UK, where the piston engine powerplant was exchanged for a turboshaft as the Wessex.

Though it was rapidly superseded by the turbine-powered UH-1 Huey, the H-34 proved to be a reliable and durable helicopter. It was used by the French in Algeria and the Marines in the early years of the Vietnam War, and saw service with the Israelis in the Suez and Six-Day Wars. The Navy replaced the Seabat with the SH-3 Sea King, but the UH-34 Seahorse remained in service until the end of the 1960s.

As part of his history of aircraft operating from USS Yorktown (CVS-10), Dad built a SH-34D assigned to HS-4, the Yorktown's helicopter squadron. It wears the late 1950s scheme of engine gray with high-visibility international orange panels. These had left the Yorktown shortly before my dad came aboard in 1965. This model is currently in the possession of Patriots' Point Naval Museum, on the Yorktown herself.

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Taken on: March 30, 2008
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Sets appears in:   • The Models of Dane and Benjamin Donnelly   
Camera: Sanyo VPC-S500, f/2.8, 1/26 sec, 5.5mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Sanyo VPC-S500
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.038 sec (1/26)
Focal Length: 5.5mm
ISO: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Program AE
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Center-weighted average
White Balance: Auto
Light Source: Other
Color Space: sRGB
Software: 1.02.000US
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