Sikorsky R-5 / H-5

History

Finding a good battlefield helicopter took a while. Helicopters became important in World War II, and the Germans experimented with some, thanks to companies like Flettner and Focke-Achgelis. In the U.S., Sikorsky led the way with the VS-300 in 1939. The R-6 variant came at the war's end, with 25 used by the U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force.

In 1943, Sikorsky introduced the VS-327, an upgraded helicopter meant to replace the earlier R-4. It had a sleek design, a powerful Pratt & Whitney engine, and could carry medical equipment. Its top speed was 106 mph, with a range of 360 miles. It could fly up to 14,400 feet, reaching 10,000 feet in about 15 minutes.

The prototype, XR-5, led to the YR-5A model, with 26 units produced. In service, it became the R-5A and later the H-5A with 35 units made for Search and Rescue (SAR)/MEDEVAC roles. The proposed R-5B and YR-5C were not pursued.

Specification

Base

Year of Service: 1945

Origins: United States

Status: Retirement

Crew: 1

Production: 300+

Carrier: Argentina; Australia; Canada; China (Taiwan); France; Netherlands; South Africa; United Kingdom; United States

Roles

Special Mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements using specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Commercial Aviation

Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, moving passengers and cargo over long distances.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 57.1 ft (17.40m)

Width/span: 48.1 ft (14.65m)

Height: 13.0 feet (3.95m)

Cured weight: 3,792 lbs (1,720 kg)

MTOW: 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg)

Wgt Difference: +1,058 lbs (+480 kg)

Performance

Installed: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-985 "Wasp Junior" engine, 450 hp, driving a 3-blade main rotor and a 3-blade tail rotor.

Maximum speed: 106 km/h (170 km/h | 92 knots)

Maximum: 14,436 feet (4,400 m | 3 km)

Area: 360 km (580 km | 1,074 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 665 ft/min (203 m/min)

Variant

XR-5: Prototype based on the VS-327 with two seats and tailwheel landing gear, powered by a 450 hp (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5 Wasp Junior; five built in 1943 (43-28236 to 43-28239, 43-47954).

YR-5 / YR-5A: As the XR-5 with minor modifications; 26 built in 1943, (43-46600 to 43-46625), including two to the United States Navy as HO2S-1s.

R-5A: Production rescue model with provision for two external stretchers; 34 built (43-46626 to 43-46659), later re-designated H-5A.

R-5B: Modified R-5A, not built

YR-5C: Modified R-5A, not built

YR-5D / R-5D: Modified R-5As with nosewheel landing gear, rescue hoist, later re-designated H-5D; twenty-one conversions in 1944 (43-46606, 43-46640 to 43-46659).

YR-5E: Modified YR-5As with dual controls in 1947, later re-designated YH-5E; five conversions from YR-5A (43-46611 to 43-46615).

R-5F: Civil model S-51 four-seaters bought in 1947 powered by 450 hp (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5, later re-designated H-5F; 11 built 1948 (47-480 to 47-490).

H-5A: R-5A redesignated.

H-5D: R-5D redesignated.

YH-5E: YR-5E redesignated.

H-5F: R-5F redesignated.

H-5G: Four-seater as H-5F with rescue equipment; 39 built 1948 (48-524 to 49-562).

H-5H: As for H-5G, with updated equipment and combination wheel and pontoon gear; 16 built 1949 (49-1996 to 49-2100).

HO2S-1: Two YR-5As to the United States Navy later passed to the United States Coast Guard, order for 34 cancelled

HO3S-1: Four-seat version for the USN similar to the H-5F; 92 built in 1945 (Bureau Numbers 57995 to 57998, 122508 to 122529, 122709 to 122728, 123118 to 123143, 124334 to 124353)

HO3S-1G: HO3S-1 for the United States Coast Guard; 9 HO3S-1 transferred from the USN (1230 to 1238)

HO3S-2: Was a naval version of the H-5H, not built

XHO3S-3: One HO3S-1 modified in 1950 with a redesigned rotor

S-51: Civil four-seat transport version; four purchased for inventory for U.S. Navy