Sikorsky UH-34D “Sea Bat”

The Sikorsky H-34 is a piston-engined military helicopter that was originally designed by American aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky for the United States Navy for service in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. It has seen extended use when adapted to turbine power by the British licensee as the Westland Wessex and Sikorsky as the later S-58T. First flight March 1954.

Various H-34s served, mostly as medium transports, on every continent with the armed forces of twenty-five countries, in roles such as saving flood victims, recovering astronauts, fighting fires, and carrying presidents. As one of the last piston-powered helicopter designs before its replacement by turbine-powered types such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-46 Sea Knight, it would see a remarkably long run of 2,108 H-34s produced between 1953 and 1970.

The Museum’s “Sea Bat” is Bureau# 145694. This aircraft served as both a “Sea Bat” and a “Sea Horse” with the Navy and Marine Corps. Initial flights took place in the mid 1950s and were produced through the 1960s. This specific aircraft began as an SH-34J with anti-submarine warfare gear, but then that technology was stripped. It continued in service til April 1971.

Photo 34, Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Aug 2014

Sikorsky UH-34D “Sea Bat”

Photo 41, Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Aug 2014

Sikorsky UH-34D “Sea Bat”

Photo 42, Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Aug 2014