Last update: 1 Feberuary 2015 UNITED STATES MILITARY AIRCRAFT by Jos Heyman Navy S
S = Schweizer (1941) LNS Schweizer 2-8 span: 52', 15.85 m length: 23'3", 7.09 m max. speed: 72 mph, 116 km/h (Source: Library of Congress) Twelve LNS-1 training gliders, similar to the USAAF s TG-2, were delivered to the USMC with serials 02979/02980 and 04380/04389. A further aircraft with serial 26426 was cancelled. They were used in the development of radio controlled glider bombs (Glomb). Refer also to TG-2
S = Sikorsky (1928-1962) HJS Sikorsky S53 rdm: 49', 14.95 m length: engines: 1 Continental R-975-34 max. speed: 110 mph, 177 km/h (Source: Ray Watkins, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #9269) Two aircraft were procured in 1948 although the first flight had taken place on 22 September 1947. The designation was XHJS-1 and the serials were 30368 and 30370.
HNS Sikorsky VS316A Hoverfly rdm: 38', 11.58 m length: 35'5", 10.80 m engines: 1 Warner R-550-3 max. speed: 77 mph, 124 km/h (Source: USCG) From June 1942 onwards three YR-4Bs and 22 R-4Bs were transferred from the USAAF to the US Navy as HNS-1 and with serials 39033/39052, 46445, 46699/46700 and 75727/75728. The transfer of aircraft with serials 39053/39055 and 46701/46723 did not take place. Refer also to H-4
HOS Sikorsky VS316B Hoverfly rdm: 38', 11.58 m length: 38'3", 11.66 m engines: 1 Franklin O-405-9 max. speed: 105 mph, 169 km/h (Source: USCG) Three USAAF XR-6As were transferred to the US Navy as XHOS-1 with serials 46446/46448. This was followed by 38 Nash Kelvinator built R-6As which were transferred as HOS-1 and with serials 75589/75624 and 75729/75730. The transfer of aircraft with serials 75625/75688 was cancelled. At a later date 27 of the HOS-1s were transferred to the USCG as HOS-1G. Refer also to H-6
HO2S Sikorsky S51 Dragonfly rdm: 48', 14,63 m length: 41'10', 12.75 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5 max. speed: 93 mph, 150 km/h (Source: US Navy?) In December 1945 two YR-5As were transferred from the USAAF to the US Navy with serials 75689/75690 and designation HO2S-1. In 1946 these two aircraft were handed over to the USCG with the designation HO2S-1G. The transfer of aircraft with serials 75691/75724 and 75731/75738 was cancelled. Refer also to H-5, HO3S
HO3S Sikorsky S51 Dragonfly rdm: 49', 14,94 m length: 41'1", 12.52 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-5 max. speed: 105 mph, 169 km/h (Source: US Navy) Similar to the USAAF s R-5F the US Navy ordered 92 HO3S-1s from December 1946 onwards with serials 57995/57998, 122508/122529, 122709/122728, 123118/123143 and 124334/124353. Of these nine were transferred to the USCG as HO3S- 1G, where they received serials 230/238. The HO3S-2 designation was reserved for a US Navy version of the H-5H which was not taken up, whilst the XHO3S-3 designation was allocated to a single HO3S-1 which was fitted with a different rotor in 1950. Refer also to H-5, HO2S
HO4S Sikorsky S55 rdm: 53'3", 16.23 m length: 42'1", 12.83 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-57 max. speed: 115 mph, 185 km/h (Source: Sikorsky, via uscg.mil/history) On 28 April 1950 the US Navy ordered ten HO4S-1 helicopters with serials 125506/125515. The designation HO4S-2 was assigned to a projected version for the USCG which was not proceeded with. The HO4S-3 was fitted with a Wright R-1300-3 engine and 79 were built for the US Navy with serials 133739/133753, 133777/133779, 138494/138529 and 138577/138601 whilst two US Army H-19Bs were transferred with serials 150193/150194. Production of aircraft with serials 133844/133853 and 138432/138459 was cancelled. On 18 September 1962 those remaining in service were redesignated as UH-19F. The HO4S-3G was a USCG version of which 30 were delivered with serials 1252/1258, 1281, 1298/1310 and 1323/1331. Those remaining in service on 18 September 1962 were redesignated as HH-19G. Refer also to H-19, HRS
HO5S Sikorsky S52-2 rdm: 33', 10.06 m length: 28'4", 8.64 m engines: 1 Franklin O-425-1 max. speed: 100 mph, 160 km/h (Source: Jos Heyman) The S52-2 was a four seat helicopter and 79 aircraft were ordered by the US Navy from 1951 onwards as HO5S-1 and with serials 125516/125527, 126696/126705, 128601/128620 and 130101/130137. In addition eight HO5S-1Gs were procured for the USCG with serials 1244/1251. Refer also to H-18
HRS Sikorsky S55 rdm: 53'3", 16.23 m length: 42'1", 12.83 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-57 max. speed: 115 mph, 185 km/h (Source: Jos Heyman) A transport helicopter for the USMC, 60 HRS-1s were ordered on 2 August 1950 with serials 127783/127842 whilst 127843 was cancelled. The HRS-2 version was similar to the HRS-1 bar some minor equipment changes. 101 were built with serials 129017/129049 and 130138/130205. Several were converted to HRS-3 standards whilst those remaining in service on 18 September 1962 were redesignated as CH-19E. The HRS-3 version was fitted with a Wright R-1300-2 engine. Apart from 27 re-engined HRS-2s, four aircraft were transferred from the USAF and 103 were built with serials 130206/130264, 137836/137845, 140958/140961, 141029, 141230, 142430/142436, 144244/144258, 144268/144270, 144666/144668, 146298/146302 and 146439. 16 of these were delivered to Spain. Those remaining in service on 18 September 1962 were redesignated as CH-19E. The designation HRS-4 was reserved for a derivative with 1 Wright R-1820 engine, which was subsequently cancelled. Refer also to H-19, HO4S
HR2S Sikorsky S56 rdm: 72', 21.95 m length: 64'3", 19.58 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-54 max. speed: 130 mph, 198 km/h (Source; USMC) The Sikorsky S56 was a heavy transport helicopter used by the USMC. Four prototypes were ordered as XHR2S-1 with serials 133732/133735 and the first flight was on 18 December 1953. This was followed by 55 HR2S-1s with serials 138418/138424, 140314/140325, 141603/141617 and 145855/145875 whilst production of 138425/138431, 141618/141645, 143828/143863 and 147101/147136 was cancelled. The first flight was on 25 October 1955 and those aircraft remaining in service on 18 September 1962 were redesignated as CH-37C. The designation HR2S-1W was allocated to an early warning version of which two examples were built with serials 141646/141647. They carried a large radar radome. Refer also to H-37
HR3S Sikorsky S61R rdm: 62', 18.90 m length: 57'3", 17.45 m engines: 2 General Electric T58-GE-1 max. speed: 162 mph, 261 km/h Mock-up (Source; Sikorsky) The XHR3S-1 was the design of an assault helicopter for the USMC in competition with the Boeing Vertol HRB. Only a mock-up was built and no production was undertaken although the design evolved into the CH-3C. Refer also to H-3, HSS
HSS Sikorsky S58 Seabat rdm: 56', 17.07 m length: 46'9, 14.25 m engines: 1 Wright R-1820-84 max. speed: 123 mph, 198 km/h (Source: US Navy) The XHSS-1 was the prototype of an anti-submarine helicopter based on the S58 design. Four were procured for evaluation with serial 134667/134670 on 30 June 1952 and the first flew on 8 March 1954. They were later redesignated as YHSS-1. The first production model was the HSS-1 of which 215 were built with serials 137849/137858, 138460/138493, 139017/139029, 140121/140139, 141571/141602, 143864/143960 and 145660/145669. Some were transferred to the USAF with serials 60-5424/5429 whilst six went to the USCG as HUS-1G with serials 1332/1336 and 1343. The first flight took place on 20 September 1959. The HSS-1F was a single HSS-1 converted with 2 General Electric YT58-GE engine. It had a length of 47'3", 14.40 m and flew for the first time on 30 January 1957. A single HSS-1 was converted as the YHSS-1N prototype of a night flying version. It carried serial 143957. This was followed by HSS-1N production aircraft of which 11 were procured as SH-34J. The serials were 145670/145712, 147631/147635, 147984/148032, 148934/148963, 149082/149087, 149131/149133, 149840/149842, 150730/1507819 and 150821/150822. A number were supplied to the Netherlands, Italy, Chile and Germany whereas a number transferred to the USAF as HH-34J. YHSS-2 (Source: Sikorsky) The YHSS-2 was a totally different design based on the civil S61 model. It had a rdm of 62', 18.90 m, length of 54'9", 16.69 m, 2 General Electric T58-GE-6 and a max. speed of 166 mph, 267 km/h. On 23 September 1957 10 pre-production YHSS-2s were ordered with serials 147137/147146 and the first flight was on 11 March 1959.
The production version was initially designated as HSS-2. Fitted with T58-GE-8 engines, 210 were ordered as HSS-2 with serials 148033/148052, 148964/149012, 149679/149738, 149893/149934, 150618/150620 and 151522/151557. Production continued as SH-3A and ultimately 245 were built. The HSS-2Z designation applied to eight examples which were ordered jointly by the USMC and the US Army with serials 150610/150617. They were used as Presidential aircraft. On 18 September 1962 those aircraft remaining in service were redesignated as follows: Navy Tri-service YHSS-1 YSH-34G HSS-1 SH-34G HSS-1F SH-34H YHSS-1N YSH-34J HSS-1N SH-34J YHSS-2 YSH-3A HSS-2 SH-3A HSS-2Z VH-3A Refer also to H-34, H-3, HUS
HUS Sikorsky S58 Seahorse rdm: 56', 17.07 m length: 46'8", 14.22 m engines: 1 Wright R-1820-84 max. speed: 123 mph, 198 km/h (Source: USCG) A utility version of the S58 design, 470 were ordered by the USMC from 15 October 1954 as HUS-1 and with serials 143961/143983, 144630/144654, 145713/145812, 147147/147201, 148053/148122, 148753/148822, 149318/149402, 150195/150264, 150552/150580, 150691 and 150717/150729. Production continued as UH-34D. Production of aircraft with serials 145813/145836 and 150820 was cancelled. The HUS-1A version was fitted with amphibious gear and 8 were built with serials 144655/144662 whilst others were converted from HUS-1s including serials 143975/143983, 144630/144645, 144647/144648, 144653, 145713. 145716, 145721, 145722, 145724, 146725, 145727, 145728, 145730, 145732, 145733, 145736, 145741, 145745, 145746 and 148063. The USCG obtained six HSS-1s in 1958 as HUS-1G with serials 1332/1336 and 1343. For use in Antarctica, a number of HUS-1s were converted as HUS-1L. The serials included 144657, 144658, 144661, 145717, 145719 and 150220. Seven HUS-1s were converted as Presidential aircraft as HUS-1Z. The serials were 147161, 147179, 147191, 147201, 148803, 148804, 148805 and 150691. On 18 September 1962 those aircraft remaining in service were redesignated as follows: US Navy Tri-service HUS-1 UH-34D HUS-1A UH-34E HUS-1G HH-34F HUS-1L LH-34D HUS-1Z VH-34D Refer also to H-34, HSS
HU2S Sikorsky S62 rdm: 53', 16.15 m length: 44'7", 13.59 m engines: 1 General Electric T58-GE-8 max. speed: 109 mph, 175 km/h 1962 demonstration (Source: Sikorsky) The S62 flew for the first time on 14 May 1958 and was ordered by the USCG on 21 June 1962 as HU2S-1G. They were redesignated as HH-52A on 18 September 1962 and before delivery. Refer also to H-52
JRS Sikorsky S43 span: 86', 26.21 m length: 51'2", 15.60 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1690-52 max. speed: 190 mph, 306 km/h (Source: William T. Larkins) The S43 was a flying boat of which 54 were built and which flew for the first time in June 1935. 17 were ordered by the US Navy and USMC between 1937 and 1939 as JRS-1 and with serials 0504/0506, 1054/1063 and 1191/1194.
JR2S Sikorsky VS44 Excalibur span: 124', 37.80 m length: 76'2", 23.22 m engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 max. speed: 227 mph, 365 km/h (Source: Sikorsky) The three VS-44A passenger flying boats ordered by the American Export Airlines in 1940, were completed as XJR2S-1 for the US Navy but flown on the transatlantic route by AEA under contract. Registrations NC41880 to NC41882 were allocated as well as serials 12390/12392. The individual aircraft were named Excalibur, Excambian and Exeter. The Excalibur crashed in Newfoundland in October 1942 whilst the other two aircraft were retired in October 1945 and went to civilian operators. Serials 04396/04398 were cancelled and possibly refer to the same aircraft. The designation JR2S-2 was used as an alternative. Refer also to JRK and PBS
PS Sikorsky S38 span: 71'6", 21.79 m length: 40'10", 12.45 m engines: 2 Wright J5 max. speed: 120 mph, 195 km/h (Source: Dan Shumaker, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #6237) The S36 amphibian first flew on 25 June 1928. It was evaluated by the US Navy as XPS-1 of which one example was ordered in 1927 with serial A8005. It was later used for transport duties. Two further aircraft, models S38, fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B engines, were procured in 1928 as XPS-2 and with serials A8089/8090. They were redesignated as XRS-2 in 1930. The PS-3 designation was assigned to a longer range version with a span of 71'8", 21.84 m, length of 40'3", 12,27 m and 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-C. Four were ordered in 1929 with serials A8284/8287 and they were redesignated as RS-3 in 1930. Refer also to C-6, RS
P2S Sikorsky span: 56 0, 17.07 m length: 44 1, 13.44 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-88 max. speed: 124 mph, 200 km/h (Source: William T. Larkins) A six seat amphibian aircraft designed by the Bureau of Aeronautics and built by Sikorsky. Only one XP2S-1 was built with serial A8642. The two engines were placed in tandem.
PBS Sikorsky span: 124', 37.80 m length: 76'2", 23.22 m engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-68 max. speed: 227 mph, 365 km/h (Source; NASA) The XPBS-1 was a military version of the VS44A design and one aircraft was ordered on 29 June 1935 with serial 9995. It flew for the first time on 23 August 1937. Refer also to JR2S
RS Sikorsky S41 span: 71'6", 21.79 m length: 40'10", 12.45 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B max. speed: 120 mph, 195 km/h (Source: US Navy) The RS-1 designation was assigned to three Sikorsky S41s the US Navy purchased in 1933 for evaluation with serials A8842/8844. They had a span of 78'9", 24.00 m, length of 45'2", 13.77 m, 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1860 engines and a max. speed of 131 mph, 211 km/h. The XRS-2 designation was applied to two XPS-2s which had been redesignated in 1930. They had serials A8089/8090. The RS-3 designation applied to four PS-3s with serials A8284/8287 which had been redesignated in 1930 whilst an additional two aircraft were purchased for the USMC with serials A8922/8923, and one for the US Navy with serial A9055. The RS-3 had a span of 71'8", 21.84 m, length of 40'3", 12.27 m and 2 R-1340-C engines. Traditional reference sources state that two ex Pan American Sikorsky S38As were impressed as RS-4 and with serials 37854/37855 whilst two Pan American S41s were impressed as RS-5 and with serials 37852/37853 although other references have suggested all aircraft were S38As. It is believed the RS-5s were in fact S-42s which were previously registered as NC823M and NC822M respectively. A comparison of one of the suggested registrations for the RS-4 (NC81V for 37854) and known civil registrations indicates that the RS-4s were type S-40. RS-5 (Source: William T. Larkins) Refer also to C-6, PS
SS Sikorsky span: 42', 12.80 m length: 32', 9.75 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-D1 max. speed: 160 mph, 257 km/h (Source: William T. Larkins) Based on the BuAer design 106, the XSS-1 was a two seat amphibian which was ordered on 30 June 1931 with serial A8972. The XSS-1 was to be powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-985. Following a mock-up inspection the design was altered in January 1932 to use the R-1340-D1 engine and redesignated as XSS-2. It was flown in April 1933 but the design proved to be poorly controllable and the aircraft was returned to Sikorsky for repairs and modifications. However, Sikorsky was not interested in further development and in December 1933 the aircraft was scrapped.
S = Stearman (1934-1945) NS Stearman 73 span: 32'2", 9.80 m length: 25'1", 7.64 m engines: 1 Wright R-790-8 max. speed: 125 mph, 201 km/h (Source: US Navy) 61 NS-1 trainers were ordered in 1935 with serials 9677/9717 and 0191/0210.
N2S Stearman 75 Kaydet span: 32'2", 9.80 m length: 25', 7.62 m engines: 1 Continental R-670-4 max. speed: 124 mph, 200 km/h (Source: US Navy) A US Navy version of the Kaydet primary trainer, the first production version was the model A75N1, which was similar to the PT-17. 250 were delivered to the US Navy as N2S-1 and with serials 3145/3394. This was followed by 125 models B75 (similar to the PT-13A) with a Lycoming R-680-8 engine and a length of 25'1", 7,65 m ordered as N2S-2 and with serials 3520/3644. The next version was the N2S-3 and was similar to the N2S-1 but had a length of 25'1", 7.65 m. Known as the model B75N1 1875 were built with serials 3395/3519, 4254/4351, 05235/05434, 07005/08004 and 37988/38437. The N2S-4 version was similar to the N2S-1 and 577 were built whilst another 99 were transferred from the USAAC to the US Navy. The N2S-4 was also similar to the PT-17. The serials were 27960/28058, 29923/30146, 34097/34101, 34107/34111, 37856/37967, 37978/37987 and 55650/55771. Aircraft with serials 34102/34106, 34112/34114 and 37968/37977 were cancelled. The N2S-5 version was known as the model E75 and was similar to the PT-13D. A number of these were transferred from the USAAC. The serials were 38438/38610, 43138/43637, 52550/52626, 60582/60704 and 60887/61904. Most of these aircraft of the latter batch also carried USAAF serials as well as the PT-13D designation. Aircraft with serials 38611/38732, 52627/53049, 60705/60886 and 61905/62314 were cancelled. Refer also to T-13, T-17, T-18, T-27
OSS Stearman X85 span: 36 0, 10.97 m length: 29 10, 9.09 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-36 max. speed: 150 mph, 241 km/h (Source: Dan Shumaker, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #10839) One XOSS-1 was built with serial 1052. It had an interchangeable wheel/float undercarriage.
S = Stout (1922) TS Stout span: 60', 18.29 m length: 37', 11.28 m engines: 2 Packard V-1237 max. speed: 110 mph, 177 km/h (Source: US Navy?) An all metal low wing monoplane, six ST-1s were ordered with serials A5899/5904 but only the first aircraft was completed. The first flight was on 25 April 1922.
S = Supermarine (1943) FS Supermarine Spitfire span: 36'10", 11.23 m length: 32'8", 9.96 m engines: 1 Rolls Royce Merlin max. speed: 374 mph, 602 km/h (Source: Jane's Aircraft 1945/46, p. 66c) The US Navy used 10 Spitfires of the Mk. VB and Mk. PRXI versions, in the European theatre of war, which were assigned the administrative designation FS-1. It is highly likely that these aircraft did not receive serials, and if they did, these serials were never carried. At least two Seafires (MB190, a Seafire IIC and SR459, a Seafire XV) were tested by the US Navy at Patuxtent River in 1945. Separately the USAAF used a number of Spitfires. Exact records are not available but it is thought the number of aircraft was in excess of 600. Known RAF serials include AA728, BL368, BL437, BL530, BL729, BM316, BM340, PL861, PL972, PL979 and PL994. A Spitfire on display in the US with a US military star, is believed to be AA963 which was never in the US military inventory.