One of the most successful helicopters ever built is the Sikorsky S-58/H-34. The military version is the H-34 Choctaw, serving in the armed forces of over 25 countries. This piston-powered helicopter was first flown on March 8, 1954. Sikorsky developed a turbine conversion kit for the S-58, the S-58T, which first flew on August 19, 1970. There are very few of these models still flying today, and as I understand it, most are used in firefighting and construction operations. I think, but am not quite certain, that the S-58 qualifies as a type 1 helicopter for firefighting, so I am writing about it now.
California Helicopters specializes in refurbishing S-58 and S-58T helicopters. They have a webpage with photos and specifications and another page with weights, performance and design specs.
Desiree Horton, a helicopter pilot who writes The Adventures of a Chopper Chick! weblog has (or still does?) fly the S-58. She summarizes the history of the S-58 here..
Wikipedia has a page on the H-34/S-58 that includes some photos and information on the different variants.
I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.
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