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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name= XH-39 (S-59)
|name= XH-39 (S-59)
|image=Image:Sikorsky XH-39A.jpg
|image= File:Sikorsky XH-39.jpg
|caption= Sikorsky XH-39A
|caption= Sikorsky XH-39
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type= [[Helicopter]]
|type= [[Helicopter]]
|manufacturer= [[Sikorsky Aircraft]]
|manufacturer= [[Sikorsky Aircraft]]
|designer=
|designer=
|first flight=
|first flight= 26 August 1954
|introduced= not produced
|introduced= not produced
|retired=
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|number built= 1<ref>Polmar and Kennedy, p.288</ref>
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|unit cost=
|developed from = [[Sikorsky S-52]]
|developed from = [[Sikorsky S-52]]
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The '''Sikorsky XH-39''' (manufacturer designation '''S-59'''), developed by [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] in 1954, was the U.S. Army’s first turbine-powered helicopter. It was fast and innovative, but ultimately rejected by the [[United States Army]] in favor of the Bell [[UH-1 Iroquois]].
The '''Sikorsky XH-39''' (manufacturer designation '''S-59'''), developed by [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] in 1954, was the U.S. Army's first turbine-powered helicopter. It was fast and innovative, but ultimately rejected by the [[United States Army]] in favor of the [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]].


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
[[File:Sikorsky S-59.jpg|thumb|right|S-59 during runup]]


The four-seat XH-39 was powered by one [[Continental T51|Continental CAE XT51-T-3]] 400 shp (298 kW) [[turboshaft]] engine, a license-built development of the [[Turbomeca Artouste]]. It was developed from a previous Sikorsky model, the H-18 (company model S-52), and had the same layout. It differed in using retractable tricycle landing gear, modified tail rotor, and four-blade main rotor.<ref>Polmar and Kennedy, p.288</ref> In the end, the U.S. Army selected the [[UH-1 Iroquois variants#XH-40 and YH-40|Bell XH-40]], prototype of the [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1 Huey]]. Two YH-18As were modified into XH-39s; one for flight testing and the other for static test.
The four-seat XH-39 was powered by one [[Continental T51|Continental CAE XT51-T-3]] 400 shp (298&nbsp;kW) [[turboshaft]] engine, a license-built development of the [[Turbomeca Artouste]]. It was developed from a previous Sikorsky model, the H-18 (company model S-52), and had the same layout. It differed in using retractable landing gear, modified tail rotor, and four-blade main rotor.<ref name="Polmar and Kennedy p. 288"/> In the end, the U.S. Army selected the [[UH-1 Iroquois variants#XH-40 and YH-40|Bell XH-40]], prototype of the [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1 Huey]]. Two YH-18As were modified into XH-39s; one for flight testing and the other for static test.


On August 26, 1954, the S-59 set a world helicopter speed record of 155.9 mph (251 km/h). The same year, it set a world helicopter altitude record of 24,500 ft (7,474 m).
On 26 August 1954, the XH-39 set a world helicopter speed record of 156.005&nbsp;mph (251&nbsp;km/h) over a three kilometer closed course at Bradley Field (now [[Bradley International Airport]]) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.<ref name="sikorskyarchives.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-59.php|title = Sikorsky Archives &#124; S-59}}</ref> The same year, on October 17, 1954, it set an unofficial world helicopter altitude record of 24,500&nbsp;ft (7,474 m) at Bridgeport, Connecticut.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Popular Mechanics|author=Hearst Magazines|title=Sets Helicopter Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=390DAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA113|date=February 1955|publisher=Hearst Magazines|page=113}}</ref>

In addition to the two XH-39s, one S-59, serial number 52004, registration number N74150, was produced for use for company demonstration flights.<ref name="sikorskyarchives.com"/> It has been restored and is now on display at the [[New England Air Museum]], Windsor Locks, Connecticut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=882|title = New England Air Museum}}</ref>


==Variants==
==Variants==
[[File:Sikorsky S-59 (New England Air Museum).jpg|thumb|Sikorsky S-59 on display at the New England Air Museum]]

;XH-39
;XH-39
:Former YH-18A modified for static testing, not flown and later modified back to YH-18A standard.
:Former YH-18A modified for static testing, not flown and later modified back to YH-18A standard.
Line 36: Line 41:
:Former YH-18A modified for flight testing.
:Former YH-18A modified for flight testing.


==Specifications (XH-39) ==
==Specifications (XH-39)==
[[File:Sikorsky XH-39 3-view line drawing.png|thumb|3-view line drawing of the Sikorsky XH-39]]
{{aircraft specifications
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==See also==
==See also==
{{aircontent|
{{aircontent
|related=
|related=
* [[Sikorsky S-52]]
* [[Sikorsky S-52]]


|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Bell XH-40]]
* [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants|Bell XH-40]]


|see also=
|see also=
* [[UH-1 Iroquois variants]]
* [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants]]
* [[Bell Huey]] - overview of all models
* [[Bell Huey family]]
* [[US Helicopter Armament Subsystems]]
* [[U.S. helicopter armament subsystems]]


|lists=
|lists=
* [[List of active United States military aircraft]]
* [[List of active United States military aircraft]]
* [[List of rotorcraft]]
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
===Notes===
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Harding, Stephen. ''U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947''. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
* Harding, Stephen. ''U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947''. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1990. {{ISBN|1-85310-102-8}}.
*Polmar, Norman, and Kennedy, Floyd D., Jr. ''Military Helicopters of the World''. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1981. ISBN 0-870321-383-0.
* Polmar, Norman and Floyd D. Kennedy, Jr. ''Military Helicopters of the World: Military Rotary-wing Aircraft Since 1917.''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1981. {{ISBN|0-87021-383-0}}.
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Sikorsky S-59}}
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/h-39.htm "Sikorsky Model XH-39 (S-59)." at Global Security] (accessed 12 May 2008)
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/h-39.htm "Sikorsky Model XH-39 (S-59)." at Global Security] (accessed 12 May 2008)


{{Sikorsky Aircraft}}
{{Sikorsky Aircraft}}
{{USAF helicopters}}
{{USAF helicopters}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:Helicopters]]
[[Category:United States military helicopters]]
[[Category:Cancelled aircraft projects]]
[[Category:1950s United States military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:United States military utility aircraft 1950-1959]]
[[Category:Sikorsky aircraft|H-039]]
[[Category:1950s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:Single-turbine helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1954]]

Latest revision as of 19:11, 4 January 2024

XH-39 (S-59)
Sikorsky XH-39
Role Helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight 26 August 1954
Introduction not produced
Primary user United States Army
Number built 1[1]
Developed from Sikorsky S-52

The Sikorsky XH-39 (manufacturer designation S-59), developed by Sikorsky Aircraft in 1954, was the U.S. Army's first turbine-powered helicopter. It was fast and innovative, but ultimately rejected by the United States Army in favor of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.

Design and development[edit]

S-59 during runup

The four-seat XH-39 was powered by one Continental CAE XT51-T-3 400 shp (298 kW) turboshaft engine, a license-built development of the Turbomeca Artouste. It was developed from a previous Sikorsky model, the H-18 (company model S-52), and had the same layout. It differed in using retractable landing gear, modified tail rotor, and four-blade main rotor.[1] In the end, the U.S. Army selected the Bell XH-40, prototype of the UH-1 Huey. Two YH-18As were modified into XH-39s; one for flight testing and the other for static test.

On 26 August 1954, the XH-39 set a world helicopter speed record of 156.005 mph (251 km/h) over a three kilometer closed course at Bradley Field (now Bradley International Airport) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.[2] The same year, on October 17, 1954, it set an unofficial world helicopter altitude record of 24,500 ft (7,474 m) at Bridgeport, Connecticut.[3]

In addition to the two XH-39s, one S-59, serial number 52004, registration number N74150, was produced for use for company demonstration flights.[2] It has been restored and is now on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut.[4]

Variants[edit]

Sikorsky S-59 on display at the New England Air Museum
XH-39
Former YH-18A modified for static testing, not flown and later modified back to YH-18A standard.
XH-39A
Former YH-18A modified for flight testing.

Specifications (XH-39)[edit]

3-view line drawing of the Sikorsky XH-39

Data from U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) (to top of rotor head)
  • Empty weight: 2,105 lb (955 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,361 lb (1,525 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental CAE XT51-T-3 turboshaft, 400 shp (300 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
  • Main rotor area: 962 sq ft (89.4 m2)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 156 mph (251 km/h, 136 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 138 mph (222 km/h, 120 kn)
  • Range: 280 mi (450 km, 240 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,900 ft (5,500 m)

See also[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Polmar and Kennedy 1981, p. 288.
  2. ^ a b "Sikorsky Archives | S-59".
  3. ^ Hearst Magazines (February 1955). "Sets Helicopter Record". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 113.
  4. ^ "New England Air Museum".
  5. ^ Harding 1990, p. 233.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
  • Polmar, Norman and Floyd D. Kennedy, Jr. Military Helicopters of the World: Military Rotary-wing Aircraft Since 1917.. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1981. ISBN 0-87021-383-0.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky S-59.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sikorsky_XH-39&oldid=1193619477"