The H-5 was the RCAF's first helicopter. The first three were delivered in 1947, with four more following, two in 1948 and two in 1949. Bought for Search and Rescue, the type was also used to train a helicopter force from the ground up. The S-51s (as they were better known by the crews) were in service until the 1960s when parts were getting scarce and more modern helicopters had joined the RCAF. 9603 was sold to the Alberta Institute of Technology in 1964 as a training aid, later going to the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center where it remains on display.

This Dragonfly is on display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center.