Sikorsky S-52

S-52

U.S. Army YH-18A in testing
Role	Helicopter Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight	12 February 1947
Introduction	April 1951
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Navy United States Army United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard
Number built	93^[1]
Variants	Sikorsky XH-39 Vertical Hummingbird

The Sikorsky S-52 is a utility helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft in the late 1940s. It was used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.^[2] The S-52 was the first US helicopter with all-metal rotor blades. Initially a two-seater, it was developed into the four-seat S-52-2 and S-52-3. It was designated HO5S-1 by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, HO5S-1G by the Coast Guard, and YH-18A by the U.S. Army, and was used extensively by civil operators after being retired by the military.

YouTube Encyclopedic

1/5
Views:
3 508
741
332
947 587
72 223

Transcription

Design and development

Sikorsky Aircraft began designing the S-52 in late 1945.^[3] The prototype S-52, first flown in 1947, was a two-seater and used a 178 hp (133 kW) Franklin air-cooled flat-six piston engine.^[2] The prototype pioneered the use of all-metal main and tail rotor blades along with offset flapping hinges for the main rotor, which allowed greater maneuverability and would become a trademark Sikorsky design feature. The aircraft was granted a Civil Aeronautics Authority type certificate on 25 February 1948. The S-52 was soon developed into the S-52-1 with the installation of a more powerful 245 hp (183 kW) Franklin engine.^[4]

The first American helicopter to have all-metal rotor blades,^[1]^[2] the prototype^[2] set several speed and height records in 1948, including 129.6 mph (204.2 km/h) on a 3 km (2 mi) course, 122.75 mph (197.54 km/h) on a 1 km (1,100 yd) circuit, and an absolute height of 21,220 ft (6,468 m).^[1] It was capable of hover out of ground effect at 5,900 ft (1,798 m) or 9,200 ft (2,804 m) in ground effect.^[1] The S-52 was the first helicopter to be flown in a loop, as flown by Harold E. Thompson on 19 May 1949.^[5]

The two-seat version was modified into the S-52-2, a four-seat helicopter using a 245 hp (183 kW) Franklin O-425-1 air-cooled flat-six, which was moved slightly to the rear to accommodate the enlarged cabin.^[4] It had a semi-monocoque fuselage of pod-and-boom arrangement with a large bubble-like front greenhouse,^[1] a three-blade rotor, and quadricycle fixed landing gear replacing the earlier tricycle arrangement.^[4] The production S-52-3 (HO5S-1) incorporated a downward sloping (anhedral) v-tail stabilizer.^[6] It also had sliding doors on the right forward and left rear sides, and a vertically split front bubble, allowing the left half to swing open in a clamshell fashion. The engine was placed at the aft end of the cabin and was canted forward 30 degrees to couple with the clutch and transmission.^[7] The pilot-in-command occupied the right front seat, while the front clamshell allowed two patients on stretchers to be loaded into the left side of the aircraft, where they could be attended by a medic in the right rear seat during medevac missions.^[4]

The S-52 also served as the basis of the turbine-powered S-59 (originally designated S-52-5 or YH-18B^[4]), which as the XH-39, competed for and lost the contract that produced the Bell UH-1 Iroquois. This aircraft differed in having a four-bladed rotor (against the S-52's three) and retractable tricycle gear.^[1]

Operational history

The U.S. Navy operated the aircraft as a utility type and it was used by the Marine Corps for observation and scouting in the Korean War.^[8] The Marine Corps also extensively used the HO5S for medevac in that war, as it could carry two wounded marines on stretchers internally, which was considered an advantage over the Bell HTL, which could only carry stretchers externally.^[4]

Four S-52s were evaluated by the U.S. Army for utility use in 1950, as the YH-18A, but not purchased in quantity.^[3] YH-18A serial number 42-2890 was later rebuilt as an XH-39 prototype.^[4]

In September 1952, eight S-52-3 aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard as the HO5S-1G, but were found to be too slow, small, and short-ranged for the air-sea rescue mission, and were placed in storage beginning in April 1954.^[4]

Many former military S-52 aircraft were demilitarized, rebuilt, and licensed for civil use, and in 1964, Orlando Helicopter Airways (OHA) acquired the type certificate and parts inventory from Sikorsky.^[4]^[9] In the early 1960s, OHA founder Fred Clark had used a fleet of three S-52 aircraft for powerline inspections and to shuttle VIPs and members of the news media between Orlando, Florida, and the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. OHA would eventually acquire at least 17 S-52 aircraft, which were extensively used for long-distance powerline inspection flights—a role that Clark found the S-52 to be well suited for, as it was more comfortable to fly and had a longer range than the then-prevalent Bell 47.^[9]

In 1981, a NASA scientist contacted Clark, proposing to develop a proof of concept electric-powered crewed helicopter. OHA had a hurricane-damaged former Marine Corps HO5S-1 in storage, and using NASA funds, the aircraft was rebuilt with four salvaged 60 hp (45 kW) electric starter motors from disused turboshaft engines along with fourteen 72V lead-acid batteries. In 1983, the aircraft was briefly flown under onboard electric power, but proved to have motor synchronization problems. OHA obtained additional funding from NASA, hoping to replace the troublesome four-motor setup with a single 240 hp (180 kW) torpedo motor that would eliminate the transmission, but was unable to obtain the desired motor from the U.S. Navy; OHA consequently stored the aircraft indefinitely in 1984 and the project was eventually abandoned. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the electric-powered HO5S-1 is believed to be the first crewed eVTOL aircraft to have flown using onboard battery power rather than a cable tethered to a ground-based power supply.^[9]

A restored HO5S-1—then one of the only flyable examples of the type—is featured in the 2022 film Devotion.^[10]^[11]

Variants

S-52-1: Two-seat prototype, first flown in 1948.^[12] Four built.^[4]

S-52-2: Improved three/four-seat variant.^[12]

S-52-3: Variant of the S-52-2 for the United States Navy and Coast Guard, designated HO5S-1 and HO5S-1G.^[13]

YH-18A: Four S-52-2s for evaluation by the United States Army,^[3] two later converted into XH-39s.^[14]

HO5S-1

Model S-52-3, a United States Navy variant of the four-seat S-52-2, 79 built.^[13]

HO5S-1G: As HO5S-1 for the United States Coast Guard, eight built.^[13]

XH-39: Model S-59 turboshaft-powered prototype modified from two YH-18As.^[15]

Experimental Electric S-52: Model S-52-2 battery-powered prototype using four 60-hp (45-kW) alternating current (AC) starter/generators and fourteen 72-Volt lead acid batteries producing 240–300 hp (180– 225 kW) for 10 minutes.^[16]

Vertical Hummingbird: Sold by Vertical Aviation Technologies of Sanford, Florida, the Hummingbird 300L is a kit-built design using the basic airframe, blades, main transmission, and tail rotor drive of the Sikorsky S-52 helicopter, but streamlined with a Bell 206 JetRanger nosecone and windshields. The Hummingbird is powered by an IO-540 — a vertically mounted, opposed six-cylinder air-cooled engine.^[4]^[17]

Operators

Honduras

Honduran Air Force^[18]

United States

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52.^[20]

General characteristics

Crew: two
Capacity: two passengers or two stretchers
Length: 27 ft 5 in (8.36 m) (fuselage length)
Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Empty weight: 1,650 lb (748 kg)
Gross weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 2,700 lb (1,225 kg) (overload)
Fuel capacity: 62 US gal (230 L; 52 imp gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6V6-245-B16F air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine, 245 hp (183 kW)
Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
Main rotor area: 855 sq ft (79.4 m²)

Performance

Maximum speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed: 96 mph (154 km/h, 83 kn)
Range: 415 mi (668 km, 361 nmi)
Service ceiling: 15,500 ft (4,700 m)
Rate of climb: 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s)

References

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Polmar and Kennedy, p. 288.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Donald 1997, p. 840.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Harding 1990, p. 228.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Devine, Vinny (June 2012). "S-52". Sikorsky Product History. Igor Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Guinness World Records 2019. Portable Press, 2019. 22 January 2019. p. 164. ISBN 9781684127184.
^ FAA type certificate
^ Flight manual, page 5
^ Rawlins, p. 44.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wallace, Brent; Swartz, Kenneth I. (January–February 2022). "Orlando Helicopter's Electric Sikorsky S-52". Vertiflite. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ Busha, Jim (November 2022). "Bond of Brothers" (PDF). EAA Sport Aviation. Oshkosh, Wisconsin: Experimental Aircraft Association. pp. 52–63. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
^ Wiseman, Andreas (1 February 2021). "Devotion: Bearcats, Corsairs, & Real Moviemaking Oh My!" (Press release). Black Label Media. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Sikorsky S-52 Series – A Successful Little Helicopter and its Background". Flight International. 7 August 1953. p. 178.
^ ^a ^b ^c Andrade 1979, p. 195
^ Andrade 1979, p. 119
^ Andrade 1979, p. 122
^ Wallace, Brent; Swartz, Kenneth (January 2022). "Orlando Helicopter's Electric Sikorsky S-52". Vertiflite. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
^ "Hummingbird 300L". Retrieved 30 October 2022.
^ Hagedorn 1986, p. 63.
^ Pearcy 1991, pp. 292–293.
^ Bridgman 1951, pp. 289c–290c.

Sources

FAA Type Data Certificate, Helicopter Specification No. 1H2, rev. 3; 7 July 1961.
GAA Rotorcraft Flight Manual for Model S-52-3 Helicopter, Publication No. SA4045-10 Register 2, Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft, 1952.
Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd, 1951.
Donald, David, ed. "Sikorsky S-52". Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
Hagedorn, Daniel P. "From Caudillos to COIN" Air Enthusiast, Thirty-one, July–November 1986. pp. 55–70.
Harding, Stephen. "Sikorsky H-28". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
Pearcy, Arthur. U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Since 1916. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1991. ISBN 1-85310-118-4.
Polmar, Norman, and Floyd D. Kennedy, Jr. Military Helicopters of the World. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1981. ISBN 0870213830.
Rawlins, Eugene W. Marines and Helicopters 1946 - 1962. History and Museums Division Headquarters USMC, 1976. ISBN 9781500102852. https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Marines%20and%20Helicopters%201946-1962%20%20PCN%2019000306900.pdf

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky S-52.

v t e Sikorsky aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft (company designations)	S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 S-13 S-14 S-15 S-16 S-17 S-18 S-19 S-20 S-21 S-22/23/24/25/26/27 S-28 S-29-A S-30 S-31 S-32 S-33 S-34 S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38 S-39 S-40 S-41 S-42 S-43 VS-44 S-45
Fixed-wing aircraft (military designations)	C-6 C-28 JRS JR2S PS P2S RS XBLR-3 XPBS XSS XV-2
Helicopters (company designations)	VS-300 (S-46) S-47 S-48 S-49 S-50 S-51 S-52 S-53 S-54 S-55 S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59 S-60 S-61 S-61L/N S-61R S-62 S-63 S-64 S-65 S-66 S-67 S-68 S-69 S-70 S-71 S-72 S-73 S-74 S-75 S-76 S-80 S-92 S-95 S-97 S-100 S-102 S-103 S-300 S-333 S-434
Helicopters (military designations)	SH-3 Sea King HH-3E/F R-4 H-5 H-6 H-18 H-19 Chickasaw H-34 Choctaw CH-37 Mojave XH-39 HH-52A Seaguard CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K King Stallion MH-53 CH-54 Tarhe UH-60 Black Hawk HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60J/MH-60T MH-60R/S Seahawk SH-60B/F Seahawk H-60J/K VH-60 RAH-66 Comanche VH-92 Patriot CH-124 Sea King CH-148 Cyclone HLH
Experimental aircraft	Cypher/Cypher II Firefly Raider Raider X SB-1 X2 XBLR-3 XV-2

USN helicopter designations pre-1962

Helicopter, Anti-submarine

Bell	HSL
Sikorsky	HSS-1 HSS-2

Helicopter, Crane

McDonnell	HCH

Helicopter, Observation

Convertawings	HOC
Hiller	HOE
Gyrodyne	HOG
Kaman	HOK
Sikorsky	HOS HO2S HO3S HO4S HO5S

Helicopter, Trainer pre-1948

Sikorsky	HNS

Helicopter, Trainer 1948-1962

Hiller	HTE
Kaman	HTK
Bell	HTL

Helicopter, Transport 1944-1962

Boeing Vertol	HRB
McDonnell	HRH
Piasecki	HRP
Sikorsky	HRS HR2S HR3S

Helicopter, Utility pre-1949

McDonnell	HJD
McDonnell	HJH
Piasecki	HJP
Sikorsky	HJS

Helicopter, Utility 1950-1962

Kaman	HUK HU2K
Bell	HUL
McCulloch	HUM
Piasecki	HUP
Sikorsky	HUS HU2S

United States helicopter designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems

Numerical sequence used by USAAC/USAAF/USAF 1941–present; U.S. Army 1948–1956 and 1962–present; U.S. Navy 1962–present

Army/Air Force sequence
(1941–1962)

Prefix R-, 1941–1948	R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-6 R-7 R-8 R-9 R-10 R-11 R-12 R-13 R-14 R-15 R-16
Prefix H-, 1948–1962	H-5 H-6 H-9 H-10 H-11 H-12 H-13 J H-15 H-16 H-17 H-18 H-19 H-20 H-21 H-22 H-23 H-24 H-25 H-26 H-27 H-28 H-29 H-30 H-31 H-32 H-33 H-34 H-35 H-36¹ H-37 H-38¹ H-39 H-40 H-41 H-42 H-43 H-44¹ H-45¹

Tri-service sequence
(1962–present)

1962 redesignations	H-13 F J H-19 H-21 H-23 H-25 H-34 H-37 H-43
New designations	H-46 H-47 H-48 H-49 H-50 H-51 H-52 H-53 CH-53/E/K HH-53/MH-53 H-54 H-55 H-56 H-57 H-58 H-59 H-60 UH-60 SH-60 HH-60 MH-60 H-61 H-62 H-63 H-64 H-65 H-66 H-67 H-68 H-69¹ H-70 H-71 H-72 H-73
Alternate sequence	H-1 AH-1/J/T/W/Z UH-1/N/Y H-2 G H-3 CH-3/HH-3 SH-3 H-4 H-5 H-6 AH-6 MH-6 OH-6
Non-sequential	H-90 H-92 CH-92/VH-92 H-139

¹ Not assigned

This page was last edited on 25 January 2024, at 15:31

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia