Italeri 1:72 Sikorsky H04S-3 / H-19 and Westland Whirlwind HAS.7

Italeri 1:72 Sikorsky H04S-3 / H-19 and Westland Whirlwind HAS.7

The H-19 helicopter, also known as the "Chickasaw," was one of the first tactical transport helicopters developed by Sikorsky in the ‘40s. Designed for troop and material transport, the H-19 featured a distinctive front-mounted engine configuration. This design was innovative for its time, optimizing flight stability and manoeuvrability while offering robust operational versatility. It entered service in the early 1950s and was employed by the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. Its strong performance and high reliability were key factors in the helicopter’s widespread adoption across numerous countries. The versatile airframe of the H-19 also served as a foundation for various versions and mission-specific variants, including models for maritime patrol and medical evacuation

The Sikorsky UH-19 (another designation: S-55) was a single-engine American transport helicopter, with a metal, half-shell structure in a classic configuration with a main rotor and a tail rotor on the beam. The drive was provided by a single 800HP Wright R-1300-3 radial engine. The flight of the first prototype took place in 1949, and serial production began in 1950. Licensed production took place in Great Britain, where the UH-19 was manufactured by Westland under the name Whirlwind. It is estimated that about 1700 copies of the helicopter were built.

UH-19 was originally developed as a private venture by Sikorsky, but soon the US Army took an interest in it. The rapid increase in serial production and the acceleration of work on improving the machine took place during the Korean War (1950-1953). Many development versions were created in the course of serial production. One of them is SH-19B, which has been adapted to rescue operations over water reservoirs. A special version for the US Coast Guard, designated HO4S-2G, was also created. The Sikorsky UH-19 turned out to be a very successful and durable machine, which enjoyed great interest among foreign customers. The machine was exported to, among others, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Israel and Italy.