Ex USAF 56-4279

Operated by the French Air Force as 3181. To this museum, where the markings APY were applied.

Delivered to the US Army in October 1958 as 57-5979. To the Italian air Force as MM57-5979. Reserialed MM80119 AMI. Withdrawn from use in 1960 and intended to go to Biafra (however abandoned at the Port of Antwerp). Around 1969 it was still abandoned, although it is thought that attempts were made to illegally export it to Biafra. To the Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels in March 1976 with markings MM57-5979. To the Museo do Ar in exchange for a Ju-52. By 1984 it was on display at the museum in fake FAP markings (the real 9101 was 51-7139).

To Fantasy of Flight Museum, Florida. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

There is some doubt as to the true identity of this aircraft. It was in a preserved state in 1989. I found a reference that MST had been the former APY with MAP 55-3181 from a batch 53-5177 to 5181 going to France under MDAP. Two c/ns are listed 55-901 and 55-902. Still, airframe 3181 found its way into the le Bourget museum. The reseachers there must have been certain. But is it the same aircraft?

59-5937, delivered to US Army Aviation Jul 29, 1958. Transferred to USAF. To MASDC, to civilian registry as N37788.

Editor's note: French air force serial was 27615, from US Army 52-7615. To French army in 1965, with the serial changing to 55615.

Epopee de l'Industrie et de l'Aeronautique, Collection Betrancourt

This is in fact an ex-Italian AF H-19 (MM57-5979), painted to represent the Portuguese AF's first helicopter, an H-19A based at Lajes in the Azores for SAR duties from 1954

The S-55 was aptly nicknamed 'Happy Elephant' by the French. Although Sud-Est held a licence, I don't think any S-55s were built there; this H-19D-3 certainly has a Sikorsky c/n plate. It was delivered to the French navy in 1957, went to the air force in 1959, and on to the army in 1964. It was retired with 700 flying hours in 1970 and preserved initially at Metz.