Midway's Hangar
The Restoration Facility for the USS MIDWAY museum
(Currently known as The San Diego Aircraft
Carrier Museum, on the USS Midway CV-41)
Sikorsky VH-34D Choctaw
The
Sikorsky S-58 helicopter was designed as an anti-submarine helicopter, with the first
prototype flying in 1954. They were eventually replaced by SH-3s in that role, and many
were converted to be used in the utility/transport role as the UH-34. Seven HSS-1Z
(VH-34D) helicopters were assigned in 1960 to the joint Army-Marine Corps Executive Flight
Detachment, providing a VIP service for the President and others. |
This VH-34D helicopter has a distinguished history.
(The "V" stands for "VIP" version.) It was the personnel
helicopter of President Eisenhower in 1960. Unfortunately, it has obviously come upon hard
times since then. It is in three sections: the main fuselage, the first half of the tail
boom, and a truckload of other pieces that are currently off site.
This is a 1960-vintage VH-34 similar to the one in the
first photo (or possibly the same one). President Eisenhower (in the light-colored suit)
has just exited the helicopter.
The VH-34 is at the bottom of the restoration priority list, due to the massive amount of
work that would be required to restore it. It looks even worse than it is, since it is
currently parked (if you can call it that) next to the freshly painted E-2 Hawkeye.
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation.