Helicopters: S-58

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.