First all-metal rotor blades helicopter in US. First flight February 12, 1947. 93 units built serving with the Marines and USCG and after retirement many introduced into the civilian market by Orlando Helicopters who acquired the parts inventory from Sikorsky.
In 1949, the S-52 was the first ever helicopter to loop and roll (See videos)
In 1949, the S-52 was the first ever helicopter to loop and roll (See videos)
Specifications
| Engine | 1 x Franklin O-425-1 245 shp |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 + 2 |
| Length (m) | 11.95 |
| Height (m) | 3 |
| Blades | 3 |
| Rotor diam. (m) | 10 |
| Disc area (m2) | 78 |
| Weight (kgs) | Empty: 750 Max: 1225 |
| Speed (km/h) | Cruise: 150 Max: 175 |
| Range (km) | 600 |
| Ceiling (m) | 4700 |
| Rate/Climb (m/min) | 395 |
Derivatives & Versions
| S-52-1 | 1949 | Civilian 4-place utility helicopter, 3 built. |
| S-52-2 | 1950 | Improved 4-place utility helicopter, 1 built. |
| HO5S-1 | 1952 | Improved 4-place light observation and utiliy helicopter for USMC, 79 built. |
| HO5S-1G | 1952 | Utility version of HO5S-1 for USCG, 8 built. |
| YH-18 | 1952 | Utility observation helicopter for US Army, 4 built. |
| S-52-3 | 1954 | Civil designation for 4 place light observation and utiliy helicopter equivalent to military HO5S-1. |
| → S-59 XH-39 | 1954 | US Army's first turbine-powered helicopter, developed from the S-52. |
| → Hummingbird | 1991 | Vertical Aviation Technologies at Sanford, Florida built its first Hummingbird helicopter in 1991 by converting an original Sikorsky S-52-3. |
Operators
| 1952-?? |  US Marine Corps |
| 1952-?? | US Coast Guard |