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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The Korean War, 1950-1953 --

Aircraft Carrier Operations, 15 September - 25 November 1950 --
Carrier Helicopter Operations


The Korean War saw growing use of helicopters for a wide variety of missions. On aircraft carriers, they performed general utility services, but their most valuable role was as a means of quick rescue of downed aircrew, a job that previously had to be performed by "plane guard" destroyers. Though the HO3S of the early 1950s was small and had very limited lifting capacity, its unique capabilities made it a clear herald of the future importance of helicopters to naval power.

This page features views of aircraft carrier helicopter operations during the September-November 1950 United Nations' offensive in Korea.

For other photographs of carrier activities during this period, see: Aircraft Carrier Operations, 15 September - 25 November 1950 -- Overview and Selected Images

For visual coverage of other aspects of the September-November United Nations' offensive in Korea, see:

  • The UN Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-420949

    Sikorski HO3S-1 helicopter
    ,
    of Helicopter Utility Squadron One (HU-1)

    On board USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) during operations off Korea, circa 19 October 1950. Crewman is backing off vacuum prior to starting the helicopter's engine.
    Note aircraft carrier in the left distance.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-420950

    Sikorski HO3S-1 helicopter
    ,
    of Helicopter Utility Squadron One (HU-1)

    Hovers near USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), awaiting the return of aircraft from missions over Korea, circa 19 October 1950. Crewmen foreground are standing by their stations on one of the ship's 40mm gun mounts.
    Note screening destroyer in the middle distance.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 625 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-420957

    USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)


    Demonstration of air-sea rescue techniques, using a Sikorski HO3S-1 helicopter from USS Worcester (CL-144), on the carrier's flight deck during operations off Korea, circa 19 October 1950.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 103KB; 615 x 675 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-420936

    USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)


    A Douglas AD-4W "Skyraider" prepares to take off for a night heckler mission over Korea, circa 19 October 1950.
    Vought F4U-4B "Corsair" fighters are parked in the right background. The ship's Sikorski HO3S-1 utility helicopter is overhead, in the upper left distance.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 635 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For other photographs of carrier activities during the September - November U.N. offensive, see: Aircraft Carrier Operations, 15 September - 25 November 1950 -- Overview and Selected Images

    For visual coverage of other aspects of the September-November United Nations' offensive in Korea, see:

  • The UN Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    28 November 1999