The Big Deuce - Stories

Sea Stories – by LtCol A. Michael Leahy USMCR(ret).

Michael Leahy was among the first cadre of Deuce pilots. In his Sea Stories he recalls the early years of the Deuce in the Marine Corps.

Deuce Memories – by John R. Tay.

John Tay was trained as an aircraft electrician in the early sixties and worked on the Deuce. John reports about good jobs and not so good jobs, but also incidents and accidents.

Helicopter with Fat Cheeks – by Gunther Winkle

Gunther Winkle is a freelance aviation journalist working for several European helicopter magazines. Here is his story about a little boy and a Deuce.

LCpl's first Action - One he'll not forget – by Sgt. Roger Ynostroza via Frank Reynolds

Lance Corporal David J. Simmons' first big action in Vietnam. Simmons was an M-60 machinegunner aboard a Deuce.

Experimental Versions – by Thomas H. Lawrence

Thomas Lawrence is an engineer at Sikorsky and has spent significant time studying the history of the company (and of helicopters in general). Here are his information on experimental versions of the S-56.

The privilege of flying that helicopter – by James L. Shanahan

James Shanahan went to helicopter transition training in early 1957 and then got the privilege of flying the Deuce.

The Potomac crash – by Paul E. Mayer

Paul E. Mayer used to fly in the Deuce as crew chief and co-pilot. His final flight with Major Bill Quick ended in a severe crash in the Potomac River in 1958.

Twin Tail experience – by Hollis Kimball

Hollis Kimball was a Flight Test 'Engineer' working for Sikorsky Aircraft in the late fifties. Here are his information on twin tail versions of the S-56.

Korean Tour of Duty – by Richard L. Frazer CPT U.S. Army Ret

When I joined the 19th Aviation Company in June 1965, it was located at Camp Humphries, near P’yongt’aek, about 40 miles south of Seoul, recalls Richard Frazer. Here is his story on his tour of duty in Korea.