Sikorsky R-4

Summary

Description

The Sikorsky R-4 was designed by Igor Sikorsky, evolving from his earlier experimental VS-300 helicopter, which had been publicly demonstrated in 1940. Designated initially as the XR-4 under the United States Army Air Forces' "Rotorcraft" series, it marked a significant step forward in rotary-wing aviation. The XR-4 first achieved flight on 14 January 1942, and was accepted by the Army on 30 May 1942. It exceeded all previous helicopter endurance, altitude, and airspeed records. This included a 761 mi (1,225 km) cross-country flight from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Wright Field, Ohio, setting a helicopter peak altitude record of 12,000 ft (3,700 m), while achieving 100 flight hours without a major incident and top airspeed approaching 90 mph (78 kn; 145 km/h). Following this, the British Admiralty, having learned of the VS-300, made a ship available and the first deck-landing trials aboard Daghestan were carried out in 1944. The British received two of the first eight helicopters built. On 5 January 1943, the United States Army Air Forces ordered 29 prototypes. United Aircraft announced on 5 November 1944 that the one hundredth helicopter had been completed, and that the production rate had reached five every six days.

The Sikorsky R-4 was designed with a single, three-bladed main rotor and was powered by a radial engine. The aircraft's blades were constructed with wood ribs around a steel spar and covered in doped fabric. These blades presented a challenge, as they were difficult to keep rotating in the same plane and vibrated excessively. There was no governor to control rotor speed, requiring the pilot to continuously correlate the throttle with collective pitch inputs. The aircraft operated with a gross weight of 2,540 lb (1,152 kg).

The R-4 was not designed as an attack or combat helicopter and consequently had very limited armament capabilities. While it could not carry bombs, missiles, or guns, the R-4B variant featured the capacity to carry one casualty litter externally. This external carriage was utilized for medical evacuation missions, demonstrating the helicopter's utility in rescue and support roles. Its primary role was focused on transport, rescue, and logistical support.

The R-4 saw operational use in various theaters during World War II, marking the beginning of helicopter utility in military operations. Notably, it was deployed in the China-Burma-India theater where U.S. Army Lieutenant Carter Harman conducted the first combat rescue by helicopter, retrieving downed pilots and soldiers. It also supported Operation Ivory Soap in the South Pacific, ferrying parts between floating Aviation Repair Units, and undertaking medical evacuation and mercy missions. The R-4 demonstrated its value in difficult conditions, including high altitudes and humid climates. In British service, known as the Hoverfly, it contributed to helicopter training and development of rotor systems. The United States Coast Guard also used it in rescue missions, such as the delivery of blood plasma following the sinking of USS Turner. Despite its operational strengths, the R-4 had limitations, including a single-passenger capacity and inherent piloting difficulties stemming from blade vibrations and a lack of effective rotor speed control.

Main Variants:

• XR-4: The initial prototype, designated Model VS-316A, featured a crew of two, dual controls, and a Warner R-500-3 165 hp engine.

• YR-4A: This version incorporated a larger rotor diameter and a more powerful Warner R-550-1 180 hp engine, with three units manufactured for evaluation testing.

• YR-4B: Featuring detailed design changes, this variant saw 27 units built for development testing, followed by an additional batch of 14, with seven being designated as HNS-1s for the US Navy.

• R-4B: As the production version, it was equipped with a Warner R-550-3 200 hp engine, with 100 units manufactured, including 20 for the US Navy and 45 for the Royal Air Force.

• HNS-1: This designation referred to three YR-4Bs and 22 R-4Bs transferred to the US Navy, with three units being diverted to the United States Coast Guard.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

No country is operating the R-4 in 2025.

All operators

Canada • United Kingdom • United States

Photo of R-4