1947


Sikorsky S-52 H-18 HO5S







Sikorsky S-52 H-18 HO5S

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)


Specifications S-52 H-18 HO5S


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 of S-52 H-18 HO5S


ModelYearHistory
S-52-1

1949
1949 Civilian 4-place utility helicopter, 3 built.
S-52-2

1950
1950 Improved 4-place utility helicopter, 1 built. Later converted to S-59 turbine powered prototype.
HO5S-1

1952
1952 Improved 4-place light observation and utiliy helicopter for USMC, 79 built.
HO5S-1G

1952
1952 Utility version of HO5S-1 for USCG, 8 built.
YH-18

1952
1952 Utility observation helicopter for US Army, 4 built. Two modofied into S-59 / XH-39 turbine powered prototypes.
S-52-3

1954
1954 Civil designation for 4 place light observation and utiliy helicopter equivalent to military HO5S-1.
S-59 XH-39

1954
1954 US Army's first turbine-powered helicopter, developed from the S-52. Rejected in favor of the Bell 204 (UH-1 Iroquois)
VAT Hummingbird

1991
1991 Vertical Aviation Technologies at Sanford, Florida built its first Hummingbird helicopter in 1991 by converting an original Sikorsky S-52-3. The ...

  List of Operators of S-52 H-18 HO5S


Years Model Org
1952/?? usa US Marine Corps
1952/?? usa US Coast Guard



  Global Distribution of S-52 H-18 HO5S



79HO5S-1
8HO5S-1G
3S-52-1
1S-52-2
4YH-18





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