History
The Sikorsky R-5, the designation of the S-51 till 1948, was developed as the successor of the Sikorsky R-4. This helicopter was the helicopter to be produced in rather large numbers.
The S.51 was used under several designations and was also built under license by Westland as Westland-Sikorsky WS-51 Dragonfly. Over 300 examples were built.
Development
The purpose of the R-5 was to improve the work load, service ceiling, range and speed of the R-4. The aircraft had an enlarged rotor diameter, larger fuselage and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior rated 450 hp.
First flight of the R-5 was August 18, 1943 and in March 1944 the USAAF ordered for 26 pre-production machines designated as YR-5. The first of this order was delivered in February 1945.
Soon a second order for 100 R-5As followed, thought just 34 examples of this type were delivered.
Sikorsky soon developed a modified version, the e S-51, with an enlarged rotor, enlarged work load and had a higher weight. The first S-51 flew on 16-02-1946.
The S-51 was, because three passengers could be carried, meant for both the civil as the military market. It was the first helicopter built for commercial, civil purposes.
Eleven examples went to the USAF as R-5F and ninety examples tot the US Navy as HO3S-1.
Westland started in 1946 with the production for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The Westland built aircraft were equipped with an Alvis Leonides engine rated 500 hp. This improved the performance and raised the maximum speed to 166 km/h and the service ceiling to 4300 m. Westland built 133 examples.
Westland also developed an own helicopter type, Westland Widgeon, which never saw production.
Twenty-one Sikorsky R-5As were later modified with a third seat, a hoist, external fuel tank and a nose-wheel. Three of this modified R-5As were evaluated by the US Navy as HO2S-1. Another five examples were modified and equipped with double steering under the designation YR-5E.
In 1948 thirty-nine examples of the H-5Gs, a special rescue version, while later another sixteen aircraft were modified with floats under the designations H-5H.
In 1949 several H-5Hs were modified and equipped with extensions at both sides, in which two stretchers could be carried, see this example
Versions.
- XR-5:
- prototype based upon the Sikorsky VS.372. Five examples built; Two seats; tail-wheel; One Wright 450hp R-985-AN-5 engine.
- YR-5A:
- Pre-production version, differed little from the prototypes. 26 built, including two HO2S-1 for the US Navy.
- R-5A:
- Production-version as rescue helicopter with provisions for two stretchers. 34 examples built. Later designated as H-5A.
- R-5B: never built, modified R-5A.
- YR-5C: never built, modified R-5A
- R-5D: Modified R-5A with nose wheel and hoist. Twenty examples were modified. Later designated as H-5D.
- YR-5E: Modified YR-5A with double steering; Five examples modified; later designated as YH-5E.
- R-5F:
- Four-seat, civil version from 1947. Elf examples built. Later designated as H-5F:
- H-5G:
- Four-seat version designated as H-5F, equipped with rescue equipment. 39 examples built.
- H-5H:
- As H-5G with updated equipment. 26 examples built.
- HO3S-2: never built USN version of the H-5H.
- HO2S-1:
- US Navy designation of two YR-5As
- HO3S-1:
- US Navy designation of the four seat H-5F; 88 examples built.
- HO3S-1G: nine examples of the HO3S-1, built for the US Coast Guard
- HO3S-3:
- One, in 1950 modified HO3S-1 with a new developed main rotor
- S-51:
- Civil, four seat version.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length with rotor | 12,5 m | Rotor diameter: | 14,6 m |
| Height: | 3,9 m | Tail Rotor diameter: | - m |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 1920 kg | Full weight: | 3500 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 145 km/hr | Cruising speed: | 113 km/hr |
| Range: | 451 km | Service ceiling: | 3000 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One Pratt & Whitney R-985-An-5 Wasp junior rated 450 hp | ||
| Crew: | Two | ||
| Rotor diameter: 14,6 m; Rail rotor diameter: 2,5 m | |||
Information about Dutch aircraft.
| Serial | 2nd Serial | Constr. nr. | Date in service | Date out of service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1 | 076 | 51.33 | 18-12-1951 | 24-04-1959 | ex-PH-HAA and bought from Stichting voor Hefschroefvliegtuigen. Nick name: Jezebel. Written off |
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Mach2
- Kit GP.011: A short run model of a Sikorsky S51 - HO3S-1
- MPM
- Kit S51: A short run model of a Sikorsky S.51
- Airmodel
- Kit 132: A vacu formed model, contains only the fuselage.
- Airways Vac Form
- Kit YY: A vacu formed model.
Modelling add-on
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- Set --: --
Decals
- Dutch Decal
- Set 72025: Decals for Lockheed Hercules KLu, Breguet Atlantic Kon.Marine, Sikorsky S-51 ‘Jezebel’ (yellow version).
- Set 72064: RNethNavy Firefly’s , S-51 (blue), Oxford. LVA Douglas DB-8A. B-25J Mitchell 16 Sqn. RNEIAF. Bucker Jungmann RNEIAF
1/48th Scale
Kits
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- Kit --:--
Modelling add-on
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- Set --: --
Decals
- --
- Set --: --
| Scheme | Colour name | FS number | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo ModelColor | Vallejo ModelAir | Hataka | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1 | Overall | Yellow | H154 | X213 | 70.953 | 71.078 | - | ||
| Standard #2 | Overall | Glossy Dark Sea Blue ANA 623 | ~5042 | H181 | X121 | 70.898 | 71.087 | ~001 | |
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Literature.
| Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 | Paul A. Jackson | pag. 116 | 1978 | Uitgever Midland Countries Publications, Leicester |
| Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen | Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof | Pag. 59 | 1978 | Uitgever Omniboek, 's Gravenhage |
| Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. | Hugo Hooftman | Pag. 110 - 111 | 1977 | Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel |
| Luchtvaart; 11e jaargang nummer 3: Pionierswerk van de "Stichting voor Hefschroefvliegtuigen | Nico Geldhof | Pag. 113 - 120 | 1994 | Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel |
| Camouflage en Kentekens | J.Greuter e.a. | 1997 | Bonneville – Bergen (NH) | |
| 85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld: Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter | Peter Korbee | pag. 104 - 105 | 2002 | Uitgever Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg |
Websites.
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Nederlands (nl-NL) 
English (United Kingdom)