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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3

Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3

Highlights:

  • American-built helicopter used during the 1950s and 1960s for various purposes, including civilian and military transportation
  • Flown by the military and naval forces of thirty-six countries, including the RCAF and RCN
  • Used to test an idea that led to the "Beartrap", a highly innovative Canadian device still used today to safely land helicopters on small warships
  • Became the first certified transport helicopter, the first helicopter to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and the first helicopter to be equipped with anti-submarine sonar and torpedoes
  • First flight was on November 10, 1949

Image Gallery:

Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3 with the rotor blades down

CASM-18869

Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3 at sea

CASM-13670

History:

The S-55 was the first helicopter with both the space and power to carry large loads. It was in heavy demand by both civil and military operators. Okanagan Helicopters operated 21 S-55s while the RCAF flew 15 transport versions and the RCN operated 13 HO4S-3. A total of 1 100 were built in the United States and a further 550 in other countries. The HO4S-3 retired from Canadian service in 1970.

The S-55 was the world’s first certified transport helicopter, the first helicopter to fly the Atlantic, and the first equipped with anti-submarine sonar and torpedoes. The HO4S-3 was used by the RCN to test an idea that led, after several years of research, to the development of the "Beartrap" equipment which allowed helicopters to operate from small warships in the open ocean.

Current Location:

Helicopters Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Donated by CAF

Built in 1955, this S-55, known as "Shearwater Angel," served the RCN for fifteen years until 1970, when it was retired and donated to the Museum. It participated in eight rescue missions and was credited with rescuing thirty-two people and four animals over its lifetime. Eight maple leaves decorate the nose of the helicopter, one for each rescue mission.

Its most famous mission was its rescue of twenty-one crew members of the Liberian freighter Kismet II, along with the ship's dog and cat, which took place on November 26, 1955 off the coast of Cape Breton Island.

Technical Information:

Rotor diameter: 16.2 m (53 ft)
Length 12.9 m (42 ft 2 in)
Height 4.5 m (14 ft 8 in)
Weight, Empty 2,380 kg (5,250 lb)
Weight, Gross 3,420 kg (7,540 lb)
Cruising Speed 148 km/h (91 mph)
Max Speed 180 km/h (112 mph)
Rate of Climb 311 m (1,200 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 3,231 m (10,600 ft)
Range 570 km (360 mi)
Power Plant one Wright R-1300-3D Cyclone 7, 600 hp radial engine

Sikorsky S-55 HO4S-3

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1970.1486
Manufacturer
Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1955
Acquisition Date
1970
Registration Number
55877 (RCN)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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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
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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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