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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Sikorsky S-51 H-5 Dragonfly

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
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Sikorsky S-51 H-5 Dragonfly

Sikorsky S-51 H-5 Dragonfly

Highlights:

  • A U.S., four-seater trainer helicopter designed and built by the Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation from 1944 to the mid-1950s; also made by Westland Aircraft
  • Used primarily by the armed forces of fifteen nations, but was also the first helicopter sold for commercial use
  • Used in the world's first regular helicopter passenger service, flying from Liverpool to Cardiff in 1950
  • Rescued downed American pilots in the Korean War
  • Served as the RCAF's first helicopter; used for training and experiments
  • Called the Dragonfly in British RAF and RN service
  • Two accompanied Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his 1946–1947 Antarctic expedition (as the first helicopters to fly in the Antarctic)
  • First flight was in February 1946

Image Gallery:

CASM-13515

CASM-15745

History:

The S-51 was an early postwar development of the R-5. Although intended for the civilian market, most S-51s went into military service. They served with all the US military services as well as with the air forces of Australia, Britain, Canada and France. The seven RCAF S-51s were designated H-5. The first helicopters in the RCAF, they were used mainly for training and experimentation, although some did search-and-rescue work. All H-5s were retired by the mid-1960s. The United States built 214, and 165 were made in Britain.

For rescue operations the H-5 could be fitted with external closed stretcher carriers. The US Air Force used S-51s extensively for casualty evacuation and the recovery of downed pilots during the Korean war.

Current Location:

On loan to the National Air Force Museum of Canada

Provenance:

Transfer from the Royal Canadian Air Force

This H-5 was manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1947. It was the first helicopter built for the RCAF and was taken on strength at Rockcliffe airport on April 5, 1947. The helicopter was assigned to RCAF Trenton, Ontario on training duties until January 1948. It was then transferred to Edmonton, Alberta, where it served with a search-and-rescue unit known as K Flight.

In 1950, the aircraft was returned to Trenton for repair and overhaul. Next it was sent to Rivers, Manitoba in July 1951, to serve with the Canadian Joint Air Training School. In November 1954, the H-5 was moved to Cold Lake, Alberta, where it was used by No. 105 Communications and Rescue Flight, formerly known as K Flight. In 1959, the helicopter was transferred to Chatham, New Brunswick, where it was stored. The RCAF transferred the helicopter to the Museum in 1964.

Technical Information:

Rotor diameter 14.9 m (49 ft)
Length 17.6 m (57 ft 8 in)
Height 3.9 m (12 ft 11 in)
Weight, Empty 1,728 kg (3,810 lb)
Weight, Gross 2,495 kg (5,500 lb)
Cruising Speed 137 km/h (85 mph)
Max Speed 166 km/h (103 mph)
Rate of Climb 305 m (1,000 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 4,115 m (13,500 ft)
Range 418 km (260 mi)
Power Plant one Pratt & Whitney R-985 AN-5 Wasp Jr., 450 hp, radial engine

Sikorsky S-51 H-5 Dragonfly

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1967.0689
Manufacturer
Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1947
Acquisition Date
1964
Registration Number
9601 (RCAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy