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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 2223.PDF
FLIGHT, 15 August 1952 187 First crossing by a Helicopter: the story of the two Sikorsky H-19s WHEN we arrived at Prestwick on Thursday, July 31st, the Viking's pilot, Capt. McKeown, learned that the two helicopters were within 200 miles of the coast, and it was decided that we should go out to welcome them. By the time preparations were made, it was necessary to fly only approximately 50 miles to their estimated location; on arrival, however, there was no sign of them and it was only on turning back that we spotted the escorting aircraft, and then the H-igs themselves. Capt. McKeown closed right in on the helicopters, which were flying at approximately 500ft in close formation, and it was then that I had the satisfaction of doing one of those small things that many an airline passenger must have wished to try. We had permission to pull out the sortie de secour window-panels of the Viking for photographic purposes: it was surprising how little effort was required—I was most encouraged. As the Viking circled the two helicopters, one could see that their crews were delighted at the friendly welcome. After format ing two or three times with flaps down at about 100 m.p.h. our Viking gave a traditional aircraft salute; then we sped back to Prestwick to join the reception committee. Shortly after 4 p.m. the helicopters came sweeping into the airport low over the hangars, their fuselages glistening in the evening sun. They flew past the waiting crowds in a splendid beat-up and then stall-turned into their landing approach. First down was Hopalong, flown by Capt. Vincent H. McGovern, the 29-year-old expedition commander, bomber pilot of War II and Korea veteran of 96 helicopter rescue missions. His co-pilot was Capt. Harry C. Jeffers, also a Korea veteran. The second machine, Whirlaway, was captained by 1st Lt. Harold W. Moore, who has 112 Korean missions to his credit; its co-pilot was Capt. George D. Hambrick, who had been so keen to be included m the expedi tion that he offered to take orders from his junior officer. After the crews had been subjected to the usual broadside of LAST week we briefly recorded the arrival in this country of the two U.S.A.F. H-19 helicopters (Sikorsky S.55, 600 h.p. Pratt and Whitney R-1340), the first rotorplanes to cross the Atlantic. It is now possible to tell the story of this historic flight in greater detail. The account which follows is by a member of the party which welcomed the crews at Prestwick, and it begins with an air-to-air impression of the arrival, for the writer, Colin Cooper, was on board a B.E.A. Viking (chartered by United Aircraft Corporation and by Westland Aircraft, the Sikorsky licencees in this country) which flew out to sea to meet the helicopters. press and newsreel cameras, General Griswold, Commanding General of the 3rd Air Force in Great Britain, welcomed the crews on behalf of the U.S.A.F. Also there to greet them were Mr. L. D. Lyman, vice-president of United Aircraft, Mr. Muir of the same organization, and Mr. Martin Graham of their Pratt and Whitney division. The British welcome was extended by Mr. J. Fearn, director of Westland Aircraft, Ltd.—who are building these Sikorsky S.55S as well as the smaller S.51S in this country—and Mr. A. H. Williams, the company's commercial manager. The writer was privileged to welcome the four pilots on behalf of the Helicopter Association of Great Britain, and they received a letter and telegram of congratulations from the Association's president, Mr. Eric Mensforth. Although they had been flying for over ten hours, the four crew-members did not appear unduly tired, as, with Maj. Richard B. McVay, they told the story of their trip. As project officer, Maj. McVay had accompanied the helicopters in the C.47, one of the two aircraft that escorted the expedition across. The other was a Grumman Albatross amphibian. The day-by-day story of the flight was as follows : July 14th.—A farewell party was given in the officers' mess at Westover Air Force Base, near Springfield, Mass. Mr. Igor Sikorsky, pioneer designer of the Sikorsky range of helicopters, and Mr. Ben Whelan, general manager of Sikorsky aircraft, were The two H-19s touch down at Prestwick, under fire from an assorted battery of cameras. In the heading picture they are seen approaching the Ayrshire coast, near Prestwick..
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