H-34 Seabat

Designed to a U.S. Navy specification to replace the HO2S anti-submarine helicopter, the prototype XHSS-1 first flew in 1954. Keeping the nose mounted R-1820, but with a new fuselage, main and tail rotors and transmission system, the HSS-1 Seabat (later SH-34) was a marked improvement over its predecessor.

The U.S. Marine Corps ordered the Seabat as a troop carrier redesignated the HUS-1 Seahorse (later UH-34). The U.S. Army also purchased this helicopter using the designation H-34 Choctaw. The type was exported widely and built under license in France and the UK. The H-34 saw extensive service in Southeast Asia.

 

 

Specifications (H-34C) Designations

 

 

 

 

Type: ASW/Transport Helicopter

Engines: one 1,425 hp (1063 kW) Wright R-1820-84 radial piston engine

S-58: Sikorsky model number

HSS-1: U.S. Navy Anti-Submarine Helicopter (named Seabat)

HUS-1: U.S. Marine Corps Utility Helicopter (named Seahorse)

H-34: U.S. Army Helicopter (named Choctaw) This designation was also used by the other U.S. services after 1962.

Wessex: de Havilland Gnome powered version built by Westland (UK)

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier CV-41 Museum-San Diego Ca.

Done