Sikorsky S-51

[Neal Nurmi]

I visited Chino several times in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There were always interesting things to see and interesting people to talk to. One aircraft I always sought out was this Sikorsky. I think this is the one that ended up at Pensacola.These were taken in the late summer of 1979.

[ArtS]

I love S-51s! Thanks for posting!

Regards,

Art S.

[JohnB]

I've never seen one outside a museum and I'm a bit surprised that one was flying that recently.

Anyone know if it was ex-military or a civil S-51?

[Andy Marden]

Ex USCG, serial 1235

[leo]

I'll have to look but think I took a pic of it there as early as 1974. My "great summer airport bum trip".

[JohnB]

The Bell 47D-1 next to it is still with us. Probably an ex H-13E.

[Badman]

I definitely remember seeing this out there in the 1979-81 time frame and vaguely remember Don Lykins flying it, or maybe a Piasceki(?) out of Chino. It's been a long time and some of those memories just seem to get mixed together. I think there was a blue and white painted A-26 Invader facing the S-51 a few rows to the left in your photos - as I recall it was for sale for $20,000.

[Neal Nurmi]

This one definitely did fly. These are also summer 1979. How about payload and space compared to the Bell 47? The Sikorsky is a lot bigger but narrow -- looks like 3 seats max?

[JohnB]

Initial H-5s were tandem two seaters.
The civil S-51 had 4 seats...as did later H-5s.

They had twice the power of the Bells; 450 vs.178/200.

The 47Ds had a narrow cabin...compared to some of the later Gs...still they could seat two...three if you've friendly. When carrying three, the dual controls had to be removed because the middle passenger was sitting where the right-hand collective would otherwise be.

[Jerry O'Neill]

There was a blue and yellow S -51 flying in Connecticut back in 1974. Flew by one day when I had my movie camera with me and got a short film clip if it. Not sure where the film is right now.

[Rajay]

This photo is backwards...note the registration number.

[CoastieJohn]

As I understand it, there was some helo horse trading to get this particular helo back to the CG and then to the museum.

[JohnB]

This photo is backwards...note the registration number.

Not to mention the blades are facing backwards.