The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw (company model number S-55) was a multi-purpose helicopter used by the United States Army and United States Air Force. It was also license-built by Westland Aircraft as the Westland Whirlwind in the United Kingdom. United States Navy and United States Coast Guard models were designated HO4S, while those of the U.S. Marine Corps were designated HRS. In 1962, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps versions were all redesignated as H-19s like their U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force counterparts.
The H-19 and HO4S-3 were multi-purpose utility helicopters flown by the RCAF and RCN. The HO4S-2 was an air-sea rescue version powered by a R-1340 P&W engine, derated to 550 hp (410 kW). Three were built for the RCN, and two surviving helicopters were subsequently converted to HO4S-3 standard, powered by a 700 hp (522 kW) Wright R-1300-3 engine. Harold Skaarup web page and Wikipedia
Chickasaw and Sea Horse Helicopters
Wikipedia Chickasaw and Sea Horse Helicopters
RCAF H-19 Serials - Kestrel Publications
last update: 2022-01-01 13:35:19Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaned to Okanagan Helicopters for use in radar line construction, registered as CF-JJK at that time.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaned to Okanagan Helicopters for use in radar line construction, registered as CF-JJL at that time.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaned to Okanagan Helicopters for use in radar line construction, registered as CF-JJM at that time. Later to civil register as C-FJJM, ZS-HBZ. Reported withdrawn from service in South Africa.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaned to Okanagan Helicopters for use in radar line construction, registered as CF-JJN at that time.Known Squadron Assignments:
US registration N8143 used for manufacturer's trials. Delivered to Canada on 18 April 1952. Registered CF-GHV when loaned to civil operators. To Okanagan Helicopters when struck off. Crashed in Newfoundland in late 1960s.Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered new to RCAF Station Sea Island, BC in 1954, used there for pilot training program run by Okanagan Helicopters. With No. 108 Communications Flight at Rockcliffe in 1955. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Fort MacMurry, Alberta on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West (support for radar facility construction in western Canada). To civil register as CF-JTA, still used for radar base construction. Crashed at Cranberry Portage, Manitoba (about 20 miles east of Flin Flon) on 7 August 1962, while being operated by Autair Helicopters.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 108 (Comm) Flight at Bagotville in fall of 1954. Left Bagotville for detachment at Knob Lake, Quebec on 31 May 1955. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Winisk, Ontario on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West. To civil register as CF-JTB, still used for radar base construction. Operated by Okanagan Helicopters from March 1957, then Autair Helicopters from March 1962Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered new to Sea Island in 1954, used there for pilot training program run by Okanogan Helicopters. With No. 108 (Com) Flight in 1956, returned to Rockcliffe from Winisk, Ontario on 21 September 1956. To civil register as CF-JTC in March 1957, registered initially to Department of National Defence, still used for radar base construction. Operated from RCAF Station Cranberry Portage, Manitoba in 1958 and 1959 by Okanagan Helicopters. Based at Dawson Creek, BC in 1960. Forced landing after engine failure on 25 September 1962, while being operated near Edmonton, Alberta by Autair Helicopters. Ownership to Okanagan Helicopters by May 1965. Crashed at 08:40 local time on 14 March 1968, while being operated by Okanagan Helicopters. Working on power line construction near Ruby Creek, BC, main rotor blade struck electrical tower. Civil registration cancelled on 1 October 1968.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by Sikorsky at Bridgeport, Connecticut in September 1954 for RCAF pilot training. Delivered to RCAF Station Bagotville shortly after, stored pending formation of No. 108 (Comm) Flight at Rockcliffe, Ontario. Damaged in use out of Knob Lake on 7 September 1955, returned to Bagotville for repairs. Replaced by 9629. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Winisk, Ontario on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West. At Winisk again in October 1956. To civil register as CF-JTD by 13 March 1957, still owned by Department of National Defence, still used for radar base construction. Based at RCAF Station Dawson Creek, BC in 1957, operated by Okanagan Helicopters, noted with 1927:40 logged time in February 1958. Based at Stoney Mountain in 1960. Operated by Autair in 1962. Owned by Okanagan Helicopters by 26 March 1965. Registered to Deltaire Industries of Vancouver in 1971, converted to turbine engine at this time. Leased to Frontier Helicopters in 1972. Crashed into Shallow Bay, NWT (near Inuvik) on 13 August 1972, after encountering heavy rain storm. Registration cancelled in December 1972.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 108 (Comm) Flight at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec in 1955. Searched for lost children on 20 May 1955, locating them. Moved to Cold Lake, Alberta in September 1955. One of 9 H-19s assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada at Longueil, Quebec in February 1957, for switch over to civil registration. Returned to Rockcliffe on 15 March 1957, with civil registration CF-JTE. RCAF crews issued temporary civil licences for delivery flights. Operated by Dominion Helicopters in 1967 and 1968. Crashed and burned near Marathon, Ontario in 1968, after tail rotor pylon failure. No fatalities. Wreckage left on site for several years.Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered new to No. 108 (Comm) Flight at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Left Bagotville for detachment at Knob Lake, Quebec on 31 May 1955. Moved to Lesser Slave Lake in September 1955. At Cold Lake, Alberta by end of September 1955. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Bird, Manitoba on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West. One of 9 H-19s assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada at Longueil, Quebec in February 1957, for switch over to civil registration. Returned to Rockcliffe on 15 March 1957, with civil registration CF-JTF. Initially registered to Department of National Defence. RCAF crews issued temporary civil licences for delivery flights. Engine failure on 16 December 1958 near Bird, Manitoba as a result of a ruptured oil cooler, landed without further damage. Severely damaged in hard landing near Gregoire Lake, Alberta (about 20 miles south of Fort McMurray) at 10:45 local time on 1 March 1963, following a hydraulic failure. Operated by Autair Helicopters at the time. Preliminary investigation found mis-assembly of right lateral servo valve, probably at last overhaul. Repaired, back in service by November 1963. Sold to Okanagan Helicopters on 29 March 1966, for $20,250.00. Removed from Canadian civil register in 1969, on being leased to Kennedy Air Service of Alaska. Back on Canadian register as CF-JTF by April 1971. Sold to Astroaire International for lease to Atlantic Helicopters, in July 1971. Converted to Garett turboshaft engine by January 1972. With Nahanni Helicopters of Delta, BC by September 1972. Operated from Fort Simpson, NWT in 1973. Engine failure in flight during fire fighting operations in NWT on 6 July 1973. Heavily damaged when it autorotated into swamp 10 miles south-west of Bennett Field. Repaired, back in service by March 1974. Crashed and burned at 08:15 on 11 April 1975, on King Christen Island, NWT, following an uncontrolled full aft displacement of cyclic stick. Registration canceled on 12 August 1976.Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered new to No. 108 (Comm) Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario in October 1954. Used to support DEW Line construction in Arctic. Operating around Moosonee, Ontario in May 1955. Left Bagotville for detachment at Knob Lake, Quebec on 31 May 1955. Moved to Lac la Ronge, Saskatchewan in September 1955. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Bird, Manitoba on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West. Crashed on landing in the bush near Bird, Manitoba in July 1956. Slung out of crash site by H-21B 9640. One of 9 H-19s assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada at Longueil, Quebec in February 1957, for switch over to civil registration. To civil register by 12 July 1957 as CF-JTG, operated in Canadian north by Okanagan Helicopters in support of radar site construction. Ferry permit issued to Okanagan Helicopters on 6 April 1966, to permit flight from Trenton to Montreal. Certificate of Registration issued to Okanagan Helicopters on 22 April 1966. Rented to Barringer Research of Rexdale, Ontario in late 1966, to develop trailing bird magnetometers. Testing continued to at least May 1967. With Nahanni Helicopters by 1972. Converted to Garett turboshaft engine by February 1975. Still with Nahanni when it crashed and was destroyed on 10 April 1976, while attempting a landing in white out conditions at Prince Patrick Island, NWT. Civil registration cancelled 12 August 1976.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 108 (Comm) Flight. Operated in Cochrane, Ontario region in September 1955. Detached to Roberval, Quebec in October 1956. Operating from Winisk, Ontario in November 1956. To civil register as CF-JTH, still used for radar base construction. Operated by Okanagan Helicopters and Autair Helicopters. Crashed while operating with civil registration, on 21 August 1964. Engine failed shortly after takeoff from Winisk Airport, destroyed in following landing. Note that this civil registration would later be re-used for ex RCAF H-34 serial number 9633 .Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered new to No. 108 (Comm) Flight at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Left Bagotville for detachment at Knob Lake, Quebec on 31 May 1955. Operating in Cochrane, Ontario region in September 1955. To civil register as CF-JTI, still used for radar base construction. Preserved, on display at Calgary Aerospace Museum from 1990, originally in Associated Helicopters markings.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 108 (Comm) Flight at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec in 1955. Left Bagotville for detachment at Knob Lake, Quebec on 31 May 1955. Dispatched from Rockcliffe to Cranberry Portage, Manitoba on 10 April 1956 for Operation Rotary West. Damaged at Winisk, Ontario on 12 October 1956, when engine surged on start and drooped main rotor which severed tail boom. One of 9 H-19s assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada at Longueil, Quebec in February 1957, for switch over to civil registration. Returned to Rockcliffe on 15 March 1957, with civil registration CF-JTJ. RCAF crews issued temporary civil licences for delivery flights. Based at Bird, Manitoba in 1958 and 1959, operated by Okanagan Helicopters. Noted with 1758:40 logged time in February 1958. Forced landing near Bird at 13:20 on 14 March 1960, following an engine failure. Logged time was then 3648:40. Repaired on site and flown to Bird for further work. Sold to Okanagan Helicopters on 29 March 1966, for $22,150.00. Fitted with radar altimeter in summer of 1968. Severely damaged in autorotation landing after engine failure near Smithers, BC on 18 May 1969. In storage at Prince George in February 1970, not repaired, when Certificate of Airworthiness was cancelled.Known Squadron Assignments:
Allocated to No. 1 Naval Helicopter Flight, later redesignated Helicopter Utility Squadron Twenty-One (HU-21). Carried code "961".Known Squadron Assignments:
Coded "962" later N65375. Allocated to No. 1 Naval Helicopter Flight, later redesignated Helicopter Utility Squadron Twenty-One (HU-21). Fitted with floats for training. Converted to HO4S-3 by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Canada Ltd., Longueuil, March 1955 to December 1956. Sold 4 years after being struck off.Known Squadron Assignments:
Allocated to No. 1 Naval Helicopter Flight, later redesignated Helicopter Utility Squadron Twenty-One (HU-21). Coded "963", dates unknown. Converted to HO4S-3 by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Canada Ltd., Longueuil, March 1955 to December 1956. Later to HS 50. Coded "254" with this unit, large "4" marked on rear fuselage.Known Squadron Assignments:
First new HO4S-3 acquired by RCN. Coded "965" then "1" while with HS 50.Known Squadron Assignments:
Coded "226" when it operated by HU 21 from HMCS Buckingham on 7 June 1957 (landing trials). Later coded "875" while with HU 21, equipped with loadspeakers. Also with HS 50, coded "253". Stored at CFB Borden, Ontario after being struck off. Later shipped to CFB Penhold, Alberta, reassembled and placed on static display. Reported stored outside, in pieces, at Shearwater Aviation Museum in 1997. On display at this Museum by 2012, coded "855".Known Squadron Assignments:
Known Squadron Assignments:
Named "Shearwater Angel". Credited with rescuing 32 people, three dogs, and a cat from various marine disasters. Also used for many VIP missions. Known rescue operations, mostly with HU 21, include SS Kismet II, off Cape Breton, 25 and 26 November 1955. Both pilots received George Cross for this operation. Three rescues performed while plane guard on HMCS Magnificent, 1956. Delivered to Egypt in 1957 by HMCS Bonaventure, marked "UN 228", with no Canadian national markings. Ferried emergency supplies to Springhill, NS, 23 October to 1 November 1958, following mine disaster. Also recovered crashed crew while plane guard on HMCS Bonaventure, 1960 and 1963. With HS 50 from late 1961 to January 1963, then back to HU 21. Carried TV tapes of Winston Churchill's funeral from Shearwater to CBC studio in Halifax, 30 January 1965. Last aircraft to fly off HMCS Bonaventure, on 12 December 1969. Donated to National Museum of Science and Technology in 1970. Ferried to Rockcliffe from Shearwater on 21/22 May 1970. Had 4760.1 flight hours when donated, almost all with HU 21.Known Squadron Assignments:
Seen at USNAS Key West, Florida, coded "250", and "O" on the port side. With HS 50 on visit to UK in 1960s, coded "878". With HU 21 in 1968.Known Squadron Assignments:
With HU 21. Ferried emergency supplies to Springhill, NS, 23 October to 1 November 1958, following mine disaster. On board HMCS Assiniboine in October 1963. On 8 May 1970 this helicopter was shipped to Canadian Forces Base Borden to replace 55875 which had been shipped to Canadian Forces Base Penhold. By 2006 on display at Shearwater Aviation Museum near Halifax, NS, coded "7".Known Squadron Assignments:
With HU 21. Sent to Newfoundland to fight forest fires, summer and fall of 1961. Crashed into trees near Aspen Cove while ferrying fire fighters. The aircrew included Lt.Gordon Gray and L/S James Law. Both aircrew and passengers escaped uninjured.Known Squadron Assignments:
Coded "887" late in life.Known Squadron Assignments:
Stored at CFB Shearwater, awaiting restoration before being displayed in Naval Aviation Museum.Known Squadron Assignments:
Stored at CFB Shearwater, awaiting restoration before being displayed in Naval Aviation Museum.Known Squadron Assignments: ;202