Prototype of origin two-seater. Production model sat four. Sikorsky photo taken in the US North-East. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Preserved at National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

USMC four-seat version of the Sikorsky S-52-3. 79 delivered to the Marines from 1952.

HO5S was the navy designation for the S-52 and 87 examples were procured for the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Although it was used in Korea as a scout, observation and medevac helicopter the HO5S was always something of a stopgap until the more advanced designs that superseded it came along. Now on display at the fantastic national Naval Aviation Museum.

130122 was delivered to the US Marines January 19, 1953. It was a pleasure to see the oldest Sikorsky helicopter still flying if not the oldest one period.

This helicopter is on display at the Smithsonian NASM Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in the markings of an USMC aircraft from VMO-6. After being SOC with the Marines it was sold to an owner in Oklahoma and registered N8002E but this was cancelled in 1976.

EX US Marine Corps HO5S-1 BuAer No. 125526

Built in 1952 this rare helicopter is now preserved

First flown in 1947 the S-52 was not a huge success - only 97 examples were built.