UH-19C Chickasaw

The Sikorsky UH‑19C Chickasaw was the United States Army’s first production helicopter to use a turbine engine, entering service in 1954 as an evolution of the piston‑powered H‑19 series. Developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Chickasaw replaced the earlier UH‑19A/B models with a Wright R‑1820‑C10B radial engine, delivering 1,250 shaft horsepower and improving payload, climb rate, and reliability. Its airframe featured a semi‑monocoque fuselage, four‑bladed main rotor, and a spacious cabin capable of carrying up to 13 troops or a mix of cargo and medical evacuation equipment. The C variant incorporated upgraded avionics, a more powerful transmission, and provisions for external cargo hooks, making it suitable for utility, reconnaissance, and limited combat support missions. Throughout the 1950s the UH‑19C served in the Korean and early Vietnam conflicts, providing air mobility in rugged terrain where fixed‑wing aircraft could not operate. The Chickasaw’s successful transition to turbine power paved the way for later Sikorsky designs such as the UH‑60 Black Hawk, establishing a technological baseline for modern military helicopters and cementing Sikorsky’s reputation as a pioneer in rotary‑wing aviation. Its legacy endures in training programs and civilian conversions that still fly today.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

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