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[1983.057.001] Aircraft - 'HO3S-1G Aircraft, Bureau Number 235' |
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HO3S-1G Aircraft, Bureau Number 235
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| Accession Number |
1983.057.001 |
| Accession Date |
04/08/1983 |
| Creator |
| Creator |
Creator Role |
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Manufacturer |
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| Date Created |
1950 |
| Object Desciption |
Accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1950, the museum's HO3S-1G was initially assigned to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The following month the aircraft transferred to CGAS Salem, Massachusetts, where on 4 September 1951, it was involved in a heroic rescue. Receiving word that a U.S. Air Force pilot had parachuted from his aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean off Massachusetts, Lieutenant Clarence Easter and his crewman proceeded to the scene. When attempts to use the rescue sling did not meet with success, Easter maneuvered the helicopter, which was equipped with flotation gear, for a landing. He then dove into the water and pulled the now unconscious pilot to safety. In 1954, the aircraft shifted to CGAS Traverse City, Michigan, and the following year arrived at CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana. While assigned to this station station, its was one of two HO3S helicopters on the station that formed the Coast Guard's first all-helicopter Search and Rescue unit. In addition to the mission of saving lives, unique flights made by the museum's HO3S-1G included scouting the swamps near New Orleans hunting for bank robbers and other fugitives hiding from police. Its last assignment was at CGAS Traverse City, Michigan. |
| Place of Origin |
Stratford, Connecticut |
| Notes |
In today's economic environment, when military aircraft costs are measured in the millions, the $91,977.00 price tag for the Sikorsky HO3S helicopter is hard to fathom. Yet, as naval aviation's first widely employed search and rescue helicopter, the scores of individuals pulled from harm's way in a heavy seas or behind enemy lines in Korea would have gladly paid millions for the ungainly helicopter that appeared in the sky above them and saved their lives.
The HO3S, which in some services went by the name Dragonfly, entered service in 1946 and that year deployed to the Antarctic in support of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Operation Highjump exploration of that desolate continent. At sea, HO3Ss performed plane guard duties on board carriers, pulling pilots and aircrewmen from the water in the event their aircraft went over the side during launch or recovery. In the skies over Korea, Marine aviators flew the HO3S as transports and in medical evacuation. They were also pressed into service flying search and rescue missions for downed aviators. On one such flight on 3 July 1951, Lieutenant (junior grade) John Koelsch and his aircrewman attempted to pull a downed Marine fighter pilot to safety. Their HO3S was hit by enemy fire and crashed. The trio managed to avoid capture for nine day before being taken prisoner. Koelsch, who died in captivity, received the Medal of Honor for his actions, the first helicopter pilot to receive the nation's highest award for heroism.
A small number of HO3S-1Gs were delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard beginning in August 1946, and the aircraft served as a key platform in the advancement of the rotary-wing search and rescue mission. Each was equipped with a rescue hoist, and during its service the Dragonfly was outfitted with a number of innovations, including the incorporation of emergency flotation bags around the landing gear allowing for landings on open water. One HO3S-1G displayed the airplane's durability in April 1949, with Lieutenant Stewart R. Graham and Aviation Machinist's Mate Robert McAuliff completing a ten-day 3,750 mile ferry flight from Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Port Angeles, Washington, via San Diego.
The Museum's HO3S-1G (CGNR 235) was received in 1983 from the U.S. Coast Guard
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation
Dimensions: Length: 44 ft., 11 1/2 in.; Height: 8 ft., 5 in.; Rotor Diameter: 48 ft.
Weights: Empty: 3,805 lb.; Gross: 5,500 lb.
Power Plant: One 450 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5 engine
Performance: Maximum Speed: 103 M.P.H. at sea level; Service Ceiling: 13,500 ft.; Range: 275 miles
Crew: Pilot and three passengers |
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