A Project of the Coast Guard Aviation Association

Sikorsky HO4S-2G / 3G; “Horse” (1951)

HO4S-3G

Late in 1951, the Coast Guard acquired the Sikorsky HO4S-2G helicopter for search and rescue duty. Seven helicopters were obtained on the initial order. Cruising speed was 80 knots and top speed was 115 knots, ceiling 16,000 feet and range, 400 miles. In 1953 the first of 24 upgraded HO4S-3Gs came aboard. Ten additional HRS … Read more

Kaman K-225 “Mixmaster” (1950)

K-225

The K-125 was Charles Kaman’s first helicopter, which utilized intermeshing rotors and Kaman’s patented servo-flap stability control.  The K-125 first flew on 15 January 1947.The K-190 and K-225 were an improved versions of the K-125, which first flew in April and July 1949 respectively. The U.S. Navy bought two K-225s and the Coast Guard one … Read more

Douglas R5D-3/4 “Skymaster” (1950)

R5D

The Coast Guard acquired twenty Douglas R5D’s./C-54s. This was the military version of the Civilian DC-4 The Army Air Force’s/Air Force’s designation was C-54. The first five aircraft were acquired in 1950.from the USAF. The additional fifteen were acquired from both the USN and USAF. The R5Ds were used for transport duties, logistical support, search … Read more

Piasecki HRP-1 “Flying Banana” (1948)

The Coast Guard acquired three HRP-1 twin-rotor helicopters from the Navy beginning in November 1948. All three helicopters were stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City along the North Carolina coast. At least one was assigned to the Rotary Wing Development Unit based out of Elizabeth City. Here they participated in numerous experiments, including … Read more

Bell HTL 1/4/5/7 (1947)

HTL-4 c1955

A total of eight Bell HTL series helicopters were used by the U.S. Coast Guard for a wide variety of duties. Beginning in May of 1947, the service received a HTL-1 from the Navy which had ordered an initial batch of ten aircraft. The last HTL-1 from the Navy order was transferred to the Coast … Read more

Sikorsky HO3S-1G (1946)

HO3S-1G

Four Sikorsky S-51 helicopters, which had been sold to small commercial operators after WWII, were returned to Sikorsky. Sikorsky had originally designed the S-51 with rescue utilization in mind. They were offered to the Coast Guard. CAPT Richard Burke, who had been responsible for sending the helicopters up to Newfoundland for the Sabena rescue, had … Read more

R4D-5 “Skytrain” (1946)

R4D

The Coast Guard acquire eight Douglas R4D-5 transport from the Navy between October 5 1946 and Jan 31, 1947.. They were used for search and rescue duties, as transports, and logistic support work. Note the wide cargo door and the search blister forward of the cargo door. All but four R4D-5’s were removed from service … Read more

Boeing PB-1G (1946)

PB-1G USCG-Wilmington,NC 1948(R)

During the last year of World War II and shortly thereafter, the US Navy acquired 48 former USAAF B-17s for ASW patrol work. Initially these aircraft operated under their original USAAF designations but at the end of July they were given a Navy designation of PB-1W. The B stood for Boeing and the W stood … Read more

Sikorsky HOS-1 (R-6) (1945)

HOS-1

Sikorsky designed the HOS-1(R-6) as a follow on to his fabric covered HNS-1 (R-4). While retaining the R-4’s rotor and transmission system, the R-6 had an all-metal fuselage. In October 1944 the first of three XHOS-1 were delivered to the US Navy and transferred to the US Coast Guard Air Station Floyd Bennett Field for … Read more

Consolidated PB4Y-1 “Liberator” (1945)

Coast Guard PB4Y-1 on the ramp Argentia – They retained the Navy markings and armament

PB4Y-2 with locally fabricated nose blister L – R: Bishop ARM1, Apple AMM1 ADAMS AOC, xxxxxxx, Yeager AMM1 — On 12 July 1945  VPB-6 (CG) was redesignated a non-combat squadron. Operational control remained with Commander Task Force 24.0. Four PB4Y-1 aircraft were obtained from the Navy. Two were returned to the Navy within a several … Read more