wgbray
Naval Aviation Museum Series - HO3S-1G
Accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1950, the museum's HO3S-1G was initially assigned to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The following month the aircraft transferred to CGAS Salem, Massachusetts, where on 4 September 1951, it was involved in a heroic rescue. Receiving word that a U.S. Air Force pilot had parachuted from his aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean off Massachusetts, Lieutenant Clarence Easter and his crewman proceeded to the scene. When attempts to use the rescue sling did not meet with success, Easter maneuvered the helicopter, which was equipped with flotation gear, for a landing. He then dove into the water and pulled the now unconscious pilot to safety. In 1954, the aircraft shifted to CGAS Traverse City, Michigan, and the following year arrived at CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana. While assigned to this station station, its was one of two HO3S helicopters on the station that formed the Coast Guard's first all-helicopter Search and Rescue unit. In addition to the mission of saving lives, unique flights made by the museum's HO3S-1G included scouting the swamps near New Orleans hunting for bank robbers and other fugitives hiding from police. Its last assignment was at CGAS Traverse City, Michigan.
Naval Aviation Museum Series - HO3S-1G
Accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1950, the museum's HO3S-1G was initially assigned to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The following month the aircraft transferred to CGAS Salem, Massachusetts, where on 4 September 1951, it was involved in a heroic rescue. Receiving word that a U.S. Air Force pilot had parachuted from his aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean off Massachusetts, Lieutenant Clarence Easter and his crewman proceeded to the scene. When attempts to use the rescue sling did not meet with success, Easter maneuvered the helicopter, which was equipped with flotation gear, for a landing. He then dove into the water and pulled the now unconscious pilot to safety. In 1954, the aircraft shifted to CGAS Traverse City, Michigan, and the following year arrived at CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana. While assigned to this station station, its was one of two HO3S helicopters on the station that formed the Coast Guard's first all-helicopter Search and Rescue unit. In addition to the mission of saving lives, unique flights made by the museum's HO3S-1G included scouting the swamps near New Orleans hunting for bank robbers and other fugitives hiding from police. Its last assignment was at CGAS Traverse City, Michigan.