The history of Helicopter development only dates back just over half a centry. The helicopter was born on 14th September 1939 when Igor Sikorsky made the first flight in a single rotor helicopter, the VS-300. During WW2 the advantages of this flying machine quickly became apparent and then began the hectic development to which the German aircraft industry also made a positive contribution. The first modern helicopters came into being after WW2 with Sikorsky as the main manufacturer. According to experience up to then a "large helicopter" had a maximum capacity of ten passengers or eight stretchers or 7.268 kg disposable load. The machines which were built on the semimonocoque principle received the designation S-55. Equipped with a 600 shp Pratt & Whitney R 1340 Wasp radial engine the S-55 could cover a range of 340 km on 710 liters of fuel, which immediately aroused the interest of the military, as such a performance had not yet been achieved by any other helicopter. The military version of the SS-55 was designated the H-19A and by 1951 a black painted H-19A  was makin it's first flight trials in the Korean War on behalf of the CIA.  In 1952 the Sikorsky H-19  came to the attention of the public when two machines landed in Prestwick (Scotland)   after a  5,488 km Alantic Crossing.

        The flight took 42 hours 30 minutes at an average speed of 129km/h. The first production machines were supplied to the American Air Force, primarily for use on search and rescue missions. The experience gained there gave rise to continuous further development. Consquently the section between fuselage and tail rotor outrigger was given its characteristic triangular fairing to improve lateral stability. In addition to The American Air Force The U S Navy, Marines And Coast Guard  used the H-19.

       The Chickasaw also quickly became the standard helicopter of The U S Army and remained in service to the end of the 60`s. In addition to several European countries such as Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Greece and France, in 1954 The Dutch Navy also received three type UH-19F machines for use on the aircraft carrier "Karel Doorman".

        The last of these machines, the "Cleopatra" was not taken out of service until 1964. In addition to the Military varients there were also a few S-55`s  in civilian use. There are still some S-55/H 19`s flying today in different countries.

Main Rotor diameter: 16.15m; fuselage length: 12.88m;

engine: 1x800 shp Wright Cyclone R-1300-3 radial;

Max speed: 184 km/h; range: 582km;

Crewman: 2; take-off weight: 3,584kg.