The Sikorsky H-34 is one of the oldest military helicopters that is still in service today. It was first introduced in 1954 as an anti-submarine helicopter, but it was also used for cargo transport and troop transportation. Initially developed for the U.S. Navy, it eventually made its way to 25 other countries for use in both military and civilian capacities. Production of the H-34 ceased in 1970, with a total of 1,800 to 2,100 units manufactured, including various subvariants and versions known as the CH-34.

The H-34 played a significant role during its time. It was primarily utilized by the U.S. during the Vietnam War. Afterward, it found homes in countries such as France, South Vietnam, Israel, and others. One notable mission involved attempting to retrieve NASA’s Liberty Bell 7 from the Atlantic Ocean, although it ultimately failed due to the spacecraft being filled with seawater.

Throughout the 1960s, the H-34 underwent numerous modifications by Sikorsky for various purposes. As a result, it is challenging to find original versions of the helicopter. Most examples on display in museums or used in civilian operations are likely the modified variants. However, the Palm Springs Air Museum regularly operates an original Sikorsky H-34.