Designed
to a U.S. Navy specification to replace the HO2S anti-submarine
helicopter, the prototype XHSS-1 first flew in 1954.
Keeping the nose mounted R-1820, but with a new fuselage, main and
tail rotors and transmission system, the HSS-1 Seabat (later SH-34)
was a marked improvement over its predecessor.
The U.S. Marine Corps ordered the Seabat as a
troop carrier redesignated the HUS-1 Seahorse (later UH-34).
The U.S. Army also purchased this helicopter using the designation H-34
Choctaw. The type was exported widely and built under
license in France and the UK. The H-34 saw extensive service
in Southeast Asia.
Specifications
(H-34C)
Designations
Type: ASW/Transport Helicopter
Engines: one 1,425 hp (1063 kW) Wright
R-1820-84
radial piston engine
S-58: Sikorsky model number
HSS-1: U.S. Navy Anti-Submarine
Helicopter (named Seabat)
HUS-1: U.S. Marine Corps Utility
Helicopter (named Seahorse)
H-34: U.S. Army Helicopter (named Choctaw)
This designation was also used by the other U.S. services after
1962.
