H-34

Description

The H-34 is a premium gift rank American attack helicopter with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced during Update 1.91 "Night Vision" as a reward for the 2019 Operation Shipyard event. It is a rare vehicle and currently only obtainable through the War Thunder Market.

General info

Flight performance

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the helicopter. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical systems.

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Suspended armament

The H-34 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns (500 rpg = 2,000 total) + 32 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 2 x 20 mm M3 cannons (200 rpg = 400 total) + 2 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns (250 rpg = 500 total) + 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns (250 rpg = 1,000 total) + 40 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x HVAR rockets
• 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 cannon (400 rpg) + 1 x AGM-12B Bullpup missile

Usage in battles

The H-34 is a large target and is not very agile so it can easily be spotted from a distance and quickly be shot down. While this helicopter is not very well armored, it makes up for it in great firepower. Compared to its counterpart in the French tech tree, the US H-34 has a serious upgrade in firepower. With the two loadouts consisting of unguided rockets and many guns, you can take out a fair amount of ground targets while also being able to hunt down other helicopters and defend yourself effectively from planes, though for maximum effectiveness you should only use the loadout with the 8 guns and 42 rockets since the cost to spawn is the same as loudout with the 4 x .50 cals and 32 rockets.

One should try to stay low to the ground and flank around the battlefield and come in from behind the enemy to give you the element of surprise and increase your chances of surviving your attack run. Try to attack in a straight line to not bleed speed, so you can quickly flee since your speed is the closest thing you have to protection from gunfire. The H-34 also offers a more standoffish playstyle since it gets the AGM-12B. At the cost of having only one ATGM and a single 20 mm cannon, it makes up for it in range. At well over 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) You can safely fire ATGMs at the enemy without worry of SPAA fire reaching you since you can operate outside their range of effectiveness since its BR is low enough to where it will not face missile SPAAs. The 20 mm offers some protection from aircraft, but has limited ammo that the cannon will eat through due to its high rate of fire, but it can be slowed down if preferred. It is currently one of the very few helicopters that sit at or below 8.0 depending on game modes, and in the right hands is a very lethal weapon that the enemy team should focus on taking out when seen in battle

Pros and cons

Pros:

• ATGM is really useful
• Descends quickly, allowing you to dodge AA fire from afar
• Has heavy firepower for taking out air and ground targets

Cons:

• Poor flight characteristics, not as manoeuvrable as other American helicopters
• Will descend really fast at ~25 m/s if the col is at 0% for too long, which is a death sentence if low to the ground

History

H-34 Choctaw of the United States Army.

The Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw was an American utility, transport and ground attack helicopter. First flown in 1954, its versatility led to it being used by all branches of the American armed forces. As well, it enjoyed widespread use in the air forces of numerous other nations, including some aircraft converted into commercial airlift and transport vehicles. The helicopter also saw service in the Vietnam war, where it became one of the first helicopters utilized as a weapons platform and gunship. Roughly 1,800 Choctaws were produced.^[1][2]

Design and development

The H-34 Choctaw was designed as a derivative of Sikorsky's earlier H-19 Chickasaw.^[2] The helicopter featured a new tail-dragger landing gear design, but retained most of its predecessor's features including the nose-mounted radial engine. The helicopter was flown by a crew of two, with an optional third machine gunner if carrying weapons.^[1] Powered by a Wright Cyclone radial engine, the helicopter could travel at a mediocre maximum speed of 198 km/h,^[1] and could carry up to 1,350 kilograms of cargo or 16 fully-loaded troops. The Choctaw made its first flight on March 8th, 1954.^[1][2]

Operational history

After the completion of testing, the H-34 was ordered and used by the US Navy as an anti submarine warfare and transport helicopter.^[2] It was designated the HSS-1 Seabat in its anti-submarine configuration and HUS-1 Seahorse in its transport configuration.^[2] The US Army and Marine Corps also purchased the helicopter in 1955 and 1957, respectively; the Army was responsible for its name, "Choctaw".^[2] Following the introduction of the Tri-Service designation system, the helicopters were collectively known as the H-34; the Seabat became the SH-34, the Choctaw the CH-34 and the Seahorse the UH-34.^[2]

The Choctaw went on to serve in the Vietnam war in a variety of roles, ranging from MEDEVAC to transport. The helicopter was highly popular due to its ruggedness and versatility, and was employed on a variety of missions. However, the role that would have the greatest impact on future helicopter design was the ground attack role. Some Choctaws were converted into offensive weapons platforms, carrying a mix of machine guns and rockets mounted outside the hull. These helis were known as 'Stingers'.^[1][2] Though ineffective, the helicopter's design made it America's first attack helicopter. The weapons kits would eventually be inherited by the UH-1E Huey, and affected later designs such as the AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache.^[1][2]

The Choctaw also enjoyed extensive service with foreign countries, serving with the militaries of at least 27 different nations. However, its next two largest operators (after the United States) were France and the United Kingdom. France received 134 Choctaws from the United States, and built many more; these aircraft served in the French-Algerian war where it was used as a troop transport.^[1] The United Kingdom also procured Choctaws, which were produced by Westland Aviation as the Westland Wessex.^[1] Many additional Choctaws were built for civilian use, including transport and airliner models.

Over 1,800 Choctaws were built between 1954 and 1970,^[1] while production continued even later with foreign-built helicopters. Though it has been largely retired from military service, a considerable amount of Choctaws remain in commercial service.^[2] Many Choctaws are held in museums and private collections, mostly in the United States but also abroad.^[2]

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the H-34 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

Videos

See also

Related aircraft

• Westland Wessex HU Mk.5
• Sikorsky ▄H-34 - 166 manufactured under license by Sud Aviation, for the French Army, Navy and Air Force

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Mil Mi-4AV Hound

External links

• [Development] Operation "Shipyard": H-34 and Whirlwind P.9

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Dnewbold. (2016, April 13). Arsenal - UH-34 Choctaw. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.historynet.com/arsenal-uh-34-choctaw.htm
• Staff Writer. (2018, May 19). Sikorsky H-34 / CH-34 Choctaw Transport / Close-Support Helicopter. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=327