Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly

Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly

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06/18/2007. The Sikorsky S-51 was the first helicopter type ordered and operated by the RAAF. A single example, s/n A80-1, was delivered in 1947, tested for over four years and crashed in 1951, after only a few days of squadron service.

On May 17, 1951, two further examples, A80-374 and A80-636 were delivered to the RAAF, A80-374 entered operational service in July 1951. On November 10, 1955, the S-51 in the RAAF was officially named Dragonfly.

In April 1963 the type was withdrawn from use, A80-374 being the sole example as A80-636 had crashed over a decade earlier on December 10, 1952. In 1964 it became an instructional airframe and since 1974 it is part of the RAAF Museum collection at Point Cook, Victoria.


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06/18/2007. The Sikorsky S-51 was the first helicopter type ordered and operated by the RAAF. A single example, s/n A80-1, was delivered in 1947, tested for over four years and crashed in 1951, after only a few days of squadron service. On May 17, 1951, two further examples, A80-374 and A80-636 were delivered to the RAAF, A80-374 entered operational service in July 1951. On November 10, 1955, the S-51 in the RAAF was officially named Dragonfly. In April 1963 the type was withdrawn from use, A80-374 being the sole example as A80-636 had crashed over a decade earlier on December 10, 1952. In 1964 it became an instructional airframe and since 1974 it is part of the RAAF Museum collection at Point Cook, Victoria.