Sikorsky H-34G (c/n 58-1100, formerly PZ+464, QB+467, QA+470, PC+202 and 80+35 of Heeresfliegertruppe / the German Army Air Corps), static display during the 2025 edition of Tag der Bundeswehr open-doors event, Bückeburg, June 2025.
In the early 1950s, the Sikorsky company developed a larger and more powerful variant of its multi-purpose S-55 (military designation H-19 Chicksaw) helicopter. The new rotorcraft, designated S-58, performed its maiden flight on 8th March 1954.
Similarly to its predecessor, the S-58 was powered by a radial, piston engine. In this case it was nine-cylinder, air-cooled Wright R-1820 Cyclone, generating 1,525 hp. The helicopter also kept the characteristic, distinctive design with engine placed below cockpit and main drive shaft passing through the front part of the fuselage. However, contrary to the H-19, the new rotorcraft was built with traditional, tailwheel-type landing gear.
In September of 1954, the S-58 entered operational service with the US Navy, designated HSS-1 Seabat (for anti-submarine warfare) and HUS-1 Seahorse (for transport duties). One year later, the rotorcraft was acquired by the US Army, where it was designated H-34 Choctaw, and by the US Marine Corps in 1957.
In 1962, the US Department of Defense introduced its new aircraft designation system. Therefore, the S-58 helicopters in active service were re-named SH-34, UH-34 and CH-34, respectively.
The Sikorsky S-58 quickly became one of most popular military transport helicopters in the world. Apart from the United States, the rotorcraft was also acquired by approximately twenty countries, such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Nicaragua, the Netherlands and Thailand.
In 1957, Germany received its first batch of the S-58 helicopters. The Bundeswehr ordered 145 examples of the rotorcraft that in the German service were designated H-34G. The army aviation corps (Heeresfliegertruppe) was the country´s main operator of the helicopter, although the H-34G was also used by the other two main branches of the German armed forces – the naval aviation (Marineflieger) and the air force (Luftwaffe).
Apart from its main combat transport and liaison tasks, the German H-34G helicopters were also used for search-and-rescue duties, by both the naval aviation (up to 25 examples with Marinefliegergeschwader 5) and the air force. In later years, some naval H-34Gs were converted for anti-submarine warfare. The last H-34G in German service was officially retired in 1975, although that type of helicopter was already withdrawn from active duty in 1973.
The H-34G featured within our Photo of the Week series was introduced into active service with Heeresfliegertruppe in 1961, initially carrying the tactical number PZ+464. The rotorcraft was assigned to Heeresflugplatz Rheine-Bentlage (Rheine-Bentlage Air Base) for the most part of its operational service.
In 1974, the helicopter was officially retired. Shortly after, the H-34 was assigned to its new role of gate guardian at Rheine-Bentlage, where it stayed until the end of the 1980s. However, in 2012, the air base was closed, as a result of restructuring of the Bundeswehr, with its personnel reduced to just several dozen soldiers.
At the beginning of 2010s, the helicopter was still at the base and reported as ´undergoing restoration´. Nevertheless, Rheine-Bentlage Air Base was finally deactivated in 2017 and the military personnel left the site.
The H-34G ´58-1100´ fuselage was moved to Heeresflugplatz Bückeburg (Bückeburg Air Base), the site of Internationales Hubschrauberausbildungszentrum (International Helicopter Training Centre). There, the helicopter is being currently used by its training workshop as study aid for practical structural tutition.
It is worth noting that the H-34G is not the only retired German aircraft used by training workshop in Bückeburg. The trainees discover arcana of construction, function and maintenance of aeroplanes and helicopters, using Alouette II, Fiat G.91, Piaggio P.149 / FWP.149D, OV-10 Bronco and Alpha Jet as a reference.
More information about the H-34 helicopter can be found in one of our previous articles, Sikorsky H-34G.III.
