Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw Multi-Purpose Transport Helicopter - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 6/14/2011

The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw series of multi-purpose helicopter has seen extensive use with forces from all over the globe.

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The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw was an excellent multipurpose transport helicopter that saw use in various roles on a global scale. The system proved to be a tremendous replacement for the US Army H-5 Dragonfly series and went on to see action in multiple conflicts from Korean onwards. The Chickasaw was noted for its very recognizable appearance, versatility and reliability and served commercial and military roles around the world for decades.

Visually, the H-19 was of a stout appearance. The flight deck sat high above the design just under and forward of the main rotor mast. The crew cabin area was on a lower floor with easy access to ground level through sliding side doors. Passenger accommodation in the cabin amounted to 12 combat ready troops or 8 medical litters. Though the system was generally unarmed, several attempts at an armed version were made, principally by the French though the platform was found to be too underpowered to be of much use as an attack helicopter.

First flight of the series took place on November 10, 1949 with deliveries beginning a year later. A series of major variants appeared throughout her production life that generally revolved around different powerplants and custom conversions. There were also naval variants made available to the US Navy and the Royal Navy.

The H-19 in all forms was produced in other countries under license by Mitsubishi (Japan), Westland (UK) and Sud-Est (France). Operators of the system included a list of countries numbering over 30 (see operators section for the complete listing). In US service, the Chickasaw was later replaced by the H-34 Chocktaw, another Sikorsky design, by the time of the Vietnam conflict (though by this time the H-19 was still being operationally used in some limited numbers). In fact, this Sikorsky follow-up product was a further development of this very H-19 system. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
Multi-Purpose Transport Helicopter

Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky - USA / Westland - UK / Sud-Est - France / Mitsubishi - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1950
Production: 1,550

Focus Model: Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
Crew: 2 + 12

Length: 62.66ft (19.1m)
Width: 0.00ft (0.00m)
Height: 13.35ft (4.07m)
Weight (Empty): 4,799lbs (2,177kg)
Weight (MTOW): 7,200lbs (3,266kg)

Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-57 radial engine delivering 600hp and driving a three-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor.

Maximum Speed: 101mph (163kmh; 88kts)
Maximum Range: 405miles (652km)
Service Ceiling: 10,499ft (3,200m; 2.0miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 700 feet per minute (213m/min)

Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
Usually none but optional as need dictates.

Variants:
YH-19 - Evaluation Models; 5 such examples produced.

H-19A - 50 examples produced; USAF version based on the YH-19 evaluation model; fitted with R-1340-57 powerplant of 600 horsepower; became the UH-19A model with redesignation in 1962.

SH-19A - Air-Sea Rescue Variant of H-19A model; redesignated to HH-19A in 1962.

H-19B - Fitted with R-1300-3 powerplant of 700 horsepower; 264 examples produced; redesignated to UH-19B in 1962.

SH-19B - Air-Sea Rescue Variant of H-19B model; redesignated to HH-19B in 1962.

H-19C - US Army Version of H-19A model; 72 examples produced; redesignated to UH-19C in 1962.

H-19D - US Army Version of H19B model; 301 examples produced; redesignated to UH-19D in 1962.

HO4S-1 - US Navy Version of H-18A model; 10 examples produced.

H04S-2 - Proposed US Coast Guard Version

H04S-3 - Joint US/Canadian use; became the UH-19F and H04S-3 designations for US/Canada respectively; fitted with R-1300-3 700 horsepower engine.

HO4S-3G - US Coast Guard Version based on the HO4S-3 model; 30 examples produced; redesignated to HH-19G in 1962.

HRS-1 - USMC version based on the HO4S; 60 examples produced; accommodation for up to 8 combat ready personnel.

HRS-2 - Based on the HRS-1 model series with upgrades; 101 examples produced.

HRS-3 - 105 examples produced along with conversions from HRS-2 models; new production models based on HRS-2 models; fitted with R-1300-3 powerplant of 700 horsepower; redesignated to CH-19E in 1962.

HRS-4 - Proposed model based on the HRS-3; fitted with R-1820 radial engine of 1,025 horsepower.

UH-19A - 1962 redesignation of H-19A model

HH-19A - 1962 redesignation of SH-19A model

UH-19B - 1962 redesignation of H-19B model

HH-19B - 1962 redesignation of SH-19B model

CH-19E - 1962 redesignation of HRS-3 model

UH-19F - 1962 redesignation of HO4S-3 model

HH-19G - 1962 redesignation of HO4S-3G model

S-55 - Commercial Version; fitted with R-1340 engine of 600 horsepower.

S-55A - Commercial Version; fitted with R-1300-3 engine of 800 horsepower.

S-55C - Commercial Version; based on the S-55A model; fitted with R-1340 engine of 600 horsepower.

S-55T - Commercial Version; Fitted with Garrett-AIRResearch TSE331-3U-303 engine of 650 horsepower.

S-55QT - Commercial Touring Conversion Model

OHA-S-55 Heli-Camper - Commercial Conversion for promotional use.

OHA-S-55 Nite-Writer - Commercial Conversion for inflight advertising.

OHA-S-55 Bearcat - Commercial Conversion Model for agricultural use.

OHA-S-55 Heavy Lift - Commercial Conversion Model with heavy-duty crane system.

QS-55 Aggressors - Conversion models used as flying targets.

OHA-AT-55 Defender - Armed Military Model

Whirlwind HAR21 - Royal Navy Model based on the HRS-2 model.

Whirlwind HAS22 - Royal Navy Model based on H04S-3 model.

Operators:
Argentina; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Denmark; Dominican Republic; France; Germany; Greece; Guatemala; Haiti; Honduras; Israel; Italy; Japan; Kuwait; Netherlands; Nicaragua; Pakistan; Philippines; Portugal; South Korea; Vietnam; Spain; Thailand; United Kingdom; Uruguay; Venezuela; United States

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