CH-34 US ARMY Rescue

Plastic model kit for a U.S. Army Sikorsky CH-34 Choctaw MedEvac helicopter

• 1:48 scale
• Dimensions (assembled): Length 404 mm / Rotor diameter 333 mm
• 320+ parts
• Features finely engraved panel lines
• Includes clear parts and photo-etched parts
• 2 marking options
• Unassembled and unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Sikorsky CH-34 Choctaw was a medium-lift transport and utility helicopter used by the U.S. Army, based on the Sikorsky S-58. The Army began acquiring the H-34 in 1955; following the introduction of the unified U.S. military designation system in 1962, it was designated the CH-34 Choctaw.

Although originally intended primarily for transporting troops and cargo, the aircraft was also utilized for casualty transport, evacuation, and search-and-rescue missions. In the transport configuration, it could carry approximately 12–16 soldiers; for MedEvac operations, it could accommodate up to eight wounded personnel on stretchers.

A distinctive feature was its large, rounded fuselage housing a nose-mounted Wright/Curtiss-Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engine. A long drive shaft ran from the engine, passing through the elevated cockpit area to the main rotor transmission. The four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor gave the CH-34 its unmistakable appearance. The CH-34C version was powered by an R-1820-84C engine producing approximately 1,425 hp, achieved a speed of around 122 mph (196 km/h), and had a service ceiling of approximately 9,500 ft (2,900 m).

Its role as a rescue and evacuation helicopter makes it a particularly interesting subject for a U.S. Army rescue-themed build. Its robust design and spacious cabin enabled the pickup of wounded personnel and their rapid transport out of the operational area. The Army also deployed its H-34s for challenging evacuation missions, including the 1964 evacuation from the Congo.

Important: The CH-34 should not be confused with the US Marine Corps UH-34D Seahorse, which was used much more extensively during the Vietnam War. Both belonged to the same H-34 family, but the US Army primarily utilized the Choctaw as a transport, supply, and evacuation helicopter.