Sikorsky H-34

History The Sikorsky H-34 was built following a request by the US Navy in 1951 to develop a helicopter capable…

History

The Sikorsky H-34 was built following a request by the US Navy in 1951 to develop a helicopter capable of anti-submarine warfare, the then-existing types being deemed not powerful enough for this. The first prototype, designated by Sikorsky as S-58, made its maiden fl ight on the 8th of March 1954 and was followed by 1821 production aircraft, and several hundred licence-built versions.

Later versions, such as the “Wessex”, a license version built by Westland in Great Britain, were equipped with turbines instead of piston engines and offered superior performance. Numerous private S-58s were retrofitted with this engine type and designated S-58Ts. These aircraft are easily distinguishable by their modified forward nose section. Many of these are still in use for various services around the world.

The French Air Force and Navy received 261 H-34s that were heavily used during the Algerian War, offering a better high-altitude performance than the
H-21s. It was also in Algeria that France developed new tactics for the use of armed helicopters. H-34s equipped with machine guns would provide air cover and fire support for transport helicopters delivering troops or cargo. These tactics were copied by the Americans in Vietnam and are still common today. France retired its last H-34s in 1984.

Caracteristics:

Diametre  17,07 m
Length  14,25 m
Height  4,36 m
Empty weight  3,5 T
Maximum weight  6,3 T
Payload  2,3 T / 18pax
Maximum speed  200 km/h
Range  450 km
Crew 3
Engine  1 Wright 1820-84 de 1525 ch
Serial Number  SA 116

Our helicopter

We received our H-34, serial number SA116 and license-built in France, in 1987 from the air base in Cognac. It has been restored 20 years ago, but the paint scheme is already fading and further work is now necessary.

AILES ANCIENNES TOULOUSE

Our goal is the preservation of the aviation heritage. All this work aims to place the collection in the shelter in a suitable and visitable premises: an Aeronautical Museum in Toulouse (now called Aeroscopia)

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THE 40 YEARS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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OUR COLLECTION

Gathered for years by our association, the collection includes many aircraft (aircraft, helicopters, gliders) but also a large amount of various aeronautical equipment (engines, dashboards, ejection seats, missiles, …). Here is a small overview of the collection, which will reveal its secrets during your visit.

AIRPLANES

GLIDERS

HELICOPTERS

MICROLIGHTS

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