Our Aircraft’s History

Sikorsky H-19D-2-SI Chickasaw (S/N 54-1412; MSN #55806) ~ MAPS Air Museum’s own Chickasaw was built in Stratford, Connecticut and was initially delivered on November 1, 1954 for the US Army Aviation where her first assignment was with the 123rd Medical Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Sikorsky’s many travels are below:

  • December 1962 – Assigned to the 151st Engineer Group, Fort Benning, Georgia
  • March 1963 – Assigned to the Ordinance Missile Support Group, Army Geospatial Center, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
  • June 1963 – Assigned to the US Army CHemical Corps School, Fort McClellan, Alabama
  • November 1964 – Assigned to the US Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, Alabama
  • February 1966 – Transferred to the Maine Army National Guard
  • June 1966 – Transferred to the Iowa Army National Guard
  • July 1966 – Transferred to the Alabama Army National Guard
  • August 1966 – Transferred to the Tennessee Army National Guard
  • May 1967 – Struck off Strength/Charge by the US Army
  • May 1971 – Registerd as N4945 with Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
  • July 1977 – Registration cancelled and moved to the Walter Soplata Collection inNewbury, Ohio

MAPS Air Museum received the aircraft, via donation in May of 2018, and is undergoing severe renovation in our renovation building by Crew Chief Jerry Patton and the students from the Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC).  Though it will be some time before it is back for public display, know that it will see the day of light again!

Specifications/Performance:

  • Crew: 2 (capacity: 10 troops or 8 stretchers)
  • Role: Utility Helicopter
  • Manufacturer: Sikorsky
  • First flight: November 10, 1949
  • Entered Service: April 16,1950 (US Air Force)
  • Produced: 1949-1961
  • Retired: February 26, 1969 (US Navy)
  • Built: 1,728
  • Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-57-9 cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 600 hp
  • Rotor diameter: 53 ft
  • Length: 42 ft 2 in fuselage length excluding tail and main rotors
  • Height: 13 ft 4 in 
  • Empty weight:4,795 lb
  • Max weight: 7,500 lb
  • Cruise Speed: 85 mph
  • Max Speed: 101 mph
  • Range: 450 mi
  • Service ceiling: 10,500 ft

   Armament, notable:

  • None

Museum display notes: To be determined

Designed to replace: the Army’s first true troop transportation helicopter

Replaced by: Sikorsky H-34 “Choctaw”

Below are a few photos of various parts in various stages of repair: