VH-34C / H-34C Choctaw

The Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw first flew on March 8, 1954, and entered Army service in 1955 as a transport vehicle. One of the Army's two standard light helicopters, it carried supplies, equipment, and personnel and also performed medical evacuation. Its safety and reliability led the Secret Service in 1957 to conclude that helicopter travel would be safer, more efficient, and more cost effective for the President, prompting the White House to have Sikorsky upgrade the H-34 for presidential use with flotation devices on the landing gear, automatic stabilization, telephone communication for the President, soundproofing in the cabin, padded upholstery, window curtains, carpet, air-conditioning, and an enlarged window. The upgraded aircraft received the designation VH-34 and served as the presidential helicopter from 1958 to 1963, when it was replaced by the CH-3A. The Army's Executive Flight Detachment began in the fall of 1957 under President Eisenhower, and the Marines soon joined through Marine Helicopter Squadron One, sharing the mission for the next 18 1/2 years before the Marine Corps took it over completely in 1976 under President Ford. The VH-34C Choctaw with tail number 57-1725 began as an Army H-34A, was converted to an H-34C, then became one of the first Choctaws changed to a VH-34C and assigned to the Executive Flight Detachment. It served President Kennedy, was later replaced by the CH-3, then transferred to the Virginia Army National Guard before retirement.

Newport News, Virginia · United States