Sikorsky S-58 Startup and Cherry Drying 

From a old UH-34D Crew Chief, it's good to know that the piston powered birds are still flying. Captain Downy and myself took the last scheduled flight of the last active duty UH-34D in the Marine Corps. Her next flight was to the bone yard. I miss her to this day. Have a great flight.

The most fascinating part is how you guys can understand each other in the radio.

It is perfect without music - just the original sound! Thank you for sharing!

I was today years old (63) when I found out that cherries needed drying. I also thought that those old sikorskys had turbine engines. Excellent video.

My Father-in-Law ( who just passed away 2 months ago) flew these in Vietnam. He was part of "The Purple Fox's". He brought fresh men to the front, and brought the wounded and dead back. After Vietnam he went on to fly for United Airline's, retiring as a Captain on the 747, flying from Hawaii to Taipa, and China. I married his daughter in 88', unknowingly to anyone, we happened to buy a house right next door to his Ex Crew Chief's daughters house!! What's the chances of that?!?!? So we were able to get them back together. They hadn't seen each other since Vietnam.

Thank you so much for showing us all the amazing details in starting up the S-58 and the cherry drying organizational work. It was a pleasure to see you handling the heli.

Thank you, Thank you for not putting music in this video! The natural sounds from this helicopter are music in itself.

This was awesome, Love the old radial sikorskys and as a pilot really appreciate hearing all the systems running and doing their ting. Bravo from New Zealand.

Flew with 202 sqdn RAF air sea rescue in a Wessex the westland jet powered version of the Sikorsky, one of those great life moments you never forget , thanks for showing us this great helicopter still doing a great job 👍

I had an amazing opportunity to meet Lt. Trong when I went and visited Vietnam. Lt. Trong flew with the 219th KingBee Squadron. He had very many stories to tell about the MACV guys from back in the day. He flew with John "Stryker" Meyer on a number of missions, iirc. Those KingBee pilots were some of the most badass and respected pilots towards the tail end of the war in Vietnam.

On valentines day 1968 I was stationed at a firebase just east and south of Khe Sanh. There was a huge firefight on a mountain between the two places. At about 1500 we saw a 34 haulin it down the valley toward us and and flying very erratically. Side to side and dipping then pulling up like a drunk was at the controls. He headed down the ridge and it appeared he would crash into the minefield we had all around us but he pulled up at the last second. Now we are are actually above him in the machinegun pit. He pulls as much as he can and skims the top of the pit knocking the M 60 down on top of us. We both jumped up to see him skidding across the LZ. I was first there and I could see the door gunner bleeding all over the floor of the chopper. I could tell he would survive an ankle wound so I climbed up to the flight deck. The right seater was shot through the femoral and the floorboard was an inch deep in blood. I first looked at him and then to the left seater who was obviously dead or dying with a chest wound. Now my mind raced as to what to do first. We got the right seater down and web belted his leg. We did the same with gunner. The left seater was gone so we got his body down. To this day I cannot smell hydraulic fluid without thinking of them. Oddly this same crew had landed at our LZ with a shot up 34 earlier in the day and had returned to get another. We spent most of that day and night looking through the chopper for a report. From what we saw only one round went through the skin and ricocheted and tumbled through all those bodies. One stinking Ak round. Never did learn of the crews ultimate fate but I have never forgotten their dedication by going back into hell in that second chooper.

I love this stuff ! The anticipation of the start-up is just as exciting as the actual flight! Sincerely, from an old military kid

Very cool! Fixed winger here. Never had a clue this was a "thing". Short of a hurricane or tornado destroying everything in its path, this has got to be some of the most expensive wind EVER! Especially this season!

I'm an avionics engineer on the new Sikorsky H-53K and it's a wonder to see these old radial engine and analog S-58 still kicking ass and taking names! Thanks for the video

These old Sikorsky’s are my favorite helicopter. The design with pilots above the crew area and that radial engine out front is just an Amazon creation. Wish I had the chance to ride in one of them.

This is 100% a "Flying Machine". No other word describes this amazing box of bolts.

This is way cool! My cousin flew H-34s with HMM-362 Ugly Angels in VN 1966-67 and shot down 4 times but made it home! My favorite helo!

This video is incredible, I had no idea there were any S58's still being used. I have only ever seen them in museums. I was in the Army and flew on UH-60 blackhawks. If I remember correctly the Army called these CH-34 Choctaws. So nice to see a historical aircraft still being maintained and used. 👍🏻

That's one of the best sounding bucket of bolts I've heard in a _longgg_ time! This Sikorsky is my idea of a machine... older, dependable, reality-based technology. Reminds me of lawn mowers and go-karts I used in my youth and the breaker-point muscle cars we all worked on from the 60s. As organic as can be.

What the hell kind of paradise of a channel did I stumble upon? All these old gorgeous birds AND a shit ton of cab over fuel trucks? 😮😂 Subbed!!

This was an absolute joy to watch, from beginning to end.

Touch everything as you check and verify the gauges - love it!

I could watch three hours of drying cherries very easily. Thank you.

MURICA. Love the sound of that radial.

Never knew until now that I want to be a cherry dryer as well! Cool job!

This fleet has to cost a huge fortune to keep them flying. So cool to see the ole birdros still doing it. Great pilots too

I'm jealous.I could listen to that 1500 hp radial all day. I never flew a S-58 but I was told they are very nice to fly. I can't fly any more due to a crash when the tail rotor box failed in my old Jet Ranger. My right arm and right eye are not what they used to be. I do fly light aircraft with a recreational licence.

Great tutorial. After watching this, I'm now adding 'Trained Sikorsky S-58 pilot' to my resume. Thanks!

This was totally new to me. Never heard about the process of drying a field with a helicopter. The area around the cherry fields looks already so dry, but I guess there are sometimes heavy rain falls? Thanks for sharing the video. The old helicopter is probably a super reliable machine, but the sounds it makes at the beginning would scare me a lot as a novice :) It reminded me on a mix of a tractor and lawnmower :)

The good old days of piston engined aircraft! I knew Army pilots who flew them. One of them told me how they kept the transmission and motor oil flowing in below zero temps up in Alaska.

I never had the chance to fly one of those, but i think they're excellent machines. I did have a good friend that flew them in the Marine Corp, and after he was out for an offshore company. Excellent pilot and a good man. 👍 Miss you Lloyd.😊😊

Thank you for making the film. I am quite a fan of the Sikorsky S-58T, and flew in a couple of different examples in NYC, during 1989 and 1996. They were once used on the southern North Sea, to re-supply gas rigs.

I grew up with my dad in the U.S. Air Force in the 50s and 60s, the UH-34 was my favorite helicopter. Good to see them still flying. Love the sound of the radial engine.

Those old radial Sikorskys are just awesome! And there‘s quite a squadron of those on the pad there…..! Interesting video, but it makes me wonder a bit about today‘s agriculture.

This popped up on my recommendations and YT again doesnt disappoint. I love these kinds of videos, engine start up procedures from trains and tanks and semis to ships, airplanes and helos.

I work on the loading docks, these are always fun to watch after the rain (Edit) After further watching the video, I realized that we work the same orchard and the same company. 😂 YT recommend is weird

I remember one just like this that was used as an aerial crane for a company in Ft Lauderdale called Heliflight. It was school and performed other helicopter related services with a fleet of R22s , 44s , a bell 206 and a twin of the helicopter in this video.

few people know that sikorsky original designed the cherry dryer (what is now known as the helicopter) just for drying cherries. It was only later he realized it had other uses,

Just loving the sound , your captions help to understand this beast , am going to enjoy this one again on a bigger screen !

Pretty cool to see Sikorsky s-58's still flying!

Lol never knew about cherry drying and loved the POV aspect of flying this legendary helicopter, thanks a lot for sharing.

Helicopters work great for air movement over a large area. Sounds like a cool job!!

Thanks for this. I Have never flown an S58. Only Uh-1 & Ah-1G & H-46. The last transition class at Rucker in the H-34 (S58) led our graduation fly by at Rucker in 1971. Thanks for the view!

You DID play music!! The music of these old girls!!

What an amazing machine. I would love to fly in one of these. Wish there was somewhere around where I live that I could pay to ride in one of these old helicopters. They are so unique in their design.

I used to work the flight line at a small airport. By far these birds are the loudest damn things I ever had to work around. The only aircraft I needed both plugs and muffs for. Sheesh.

Everyone be talking about pistons idk what you guys are talking about but this was super cool and really interesting to watch thx

I was a technician on the CH34,s in Ansback Germany from 1964 to 1967 so glad they are still flying. Hope we get one for MSFS. Right now fling bell407

I run the train on those tracks! Always fun seeing you guys.

Beautiful aeroplane. Glad to see there is still life and usefulness in them. 👍

So many S58's, that is very special!

Yes a lot of us aircraft enthusiasts want to hear the aircraft. Thanks for the content

I've been very fortunate to fly helicopters for over twenty years. In that time I've flown many different airframes, but never lucky enough to get my hands on an S-58. Loved the video.

Very cool. My only critique is for your spotter. He should not be parking his vehicle in the only emergency landing spot given your altitude. He's in a truck....don't park in the emergency LZ. Great video!

She’s beautiful. I’m 45 and from the Scottish highlands. I was a volunteer coastguard and when I joined in 1995 the older Sikorsky was such a joy to ride in and jump out from….the noise and the smell….heavenly. In January 2008 I flew in the newer S92 and although very impressive , it just wasn’t the same. It’s like the new aircraft compared to the 707s, 727s etc….they had character!

This channel is facinating. I love seeing all the different types of jobs you are doing. So cool!

No wonder cherries cost so much...LOL. Great video from a S-58T engineer.

These are the COOLEST Helicopters in the Sikorsky lineup. Glad to see some are still flying:)-John in Texas

Great video, really good to see these old girls are still flying!

We do Heli mustering of cattle in Australia usually with a Robbie at about 30'. They could do this job quite well I reckon. Bush pilots are some of the best! Great vid - thanks

Awesome awesome video Sir , Thankyou, that radil is beautiful when she starts up, noisy too ! I can see that old bird has done many hours but flys like a new one. The old Sikorski was the agricultural workhorse back in the day...............it looks like you have quite a few at your base. Thanks again, loved every second !

For a bit I kept thinking "cherry drying? what the heck?" until i read the description. interesting bit of trivia about cherries! very cool to see things from a pilot's pov.

When I was a kid I used to love watching the helicopters drying the cherries across the street. Now they have propellers mounted on towers that turn on after it rains

Hats off to you. Doing that job would drive me crazy!

Had no idea these were still flying with radials. Have always liked this helicopter since building a model of one when I was a kid. Great video.

Very cool video. Nice to see old helo's like this still putting in work! Gotta say, your job looks pretty fun🚁😎

Sikorsky got my heart... love my CH-53 so much🫶🏻 there helicopters are pure joy!

She is such a beauty, wow! I never knew cherry drying was a thing, but I’m glad it is 😁 Would love to see more videos of these gals!

Absolutely awesome video, thanks for posting this! Awesome startup sounds too :)

Amazing old choppers! Hope the 58’s keep flying for a long time yet.

These helicopters are unqiue! The engine in the nose and shaft all the way up to the rotor always puzzled me. Also, its great you added no music. The noises of the helicopter and radio traffic etc makes it much more watchable and real feeling

very cool to watch, never seen the cockpit of one of these or the pov of one in use. thank you so much

Awesome, crazy to remember all the procedures for start up

i passengered in the RAF Westland Wessex version several times back in 70's in Hong Kong. Noisy old bag it was, but fun!

Awesome to hear that the sound quality of those vietnam era radios are on par with an Xbox 360 cod lobby

I have a love/hate relationship with the s-58, one if my friends owns one and whenever he asks me to remove the rotor covers I always misjudge where they’ll come down and they always hit me on the head but at the same time I have a lot of love for these helicopters

I know April was much colder than normal and that the cherry farmers were very concerned about the crop being badly damaged. I was at EAT the week before you filmed this and they were predicting snow.

Love seeing old radial birds still earning a living ride in one few times

It's interesting that the operating costs of such an old beast are low enough that it is an economically-viable way to dry cherries. It's also impressive that the design is so durable. This is the power of the free market- people find ingenious ways to allocate resources the most productive way possible.

Great stuff, thanks! Now halos are officially wind making machines 😀

watching people work their normal jobs for me is hella fun

Thank you very much . It takes more than 10 minutes to fly away to the sky . Many many checking things are required before to fly . I couldn’t know it before this video clip to watch . Sep. 12th 2022 Mon. 22:49 from Yokohama City Japan

Nice video! I really liked the captions and ambient sounds. Thank you.

When I was a CFI down in Moses Lake I'd always take my students up to Anderson for their first xc flight, and we'd see these helicopters parked up there. I'd heard about the cherry drying ops, but never actually seen it in action until now. Awesome vid man!

all fun and games until charlie pops out of the bush

It's amazing that most people don't realize that the actual radial engine for this helicopter, belongs to a tank engine. The fact that they decided to use this radial engine is testimony on its reliability. Just make sure everyone understands this is not a turban radial engine this is a piston engine, you can tell by listening to it when it first fires up that is merely a piston with a valve train. It's pretty remarkable when you think about

Seeing this video makes my heart beat faster. You got a dream job!

Great classic helicopter and engine sound 👍

Nice bird. I got my private rotorcraft license in 2017 and haven't been able to afford to fly since. Nice Kingbee.

Thanks for the commentary along the ways really helps to understand better .. would be great job to have for sure

Thanks for a great ride in a classic helicopter. Looks like a nice way to make a living.

I don't think I've seen any other videos of yours but I definitely agree that I prefer the non-music version unless there is a sped-up montage type of video segment otherwise, raw is totally fine with me. 🙂

Thanks for sharing your amazing experience to work with such a great piece of helicopter history!! Awesome video!!

Man, You fly everthing. Great video.

THANK YOU for the explanation and for ditching the music. The job is fascinating but musical tastes vary so widely. :)

Don't know this was a thing either. I guess now I know why cherries are kinda pricey. Thanks for the video.

We also use helicopters in Yakima Washington to dry cherries after a rainfall. Too much moisture causes the cherries to split. No one wants to buy split cherries in the store. Some orchards use their large frost protection fans to blow air to speed drying.

Haha my dad used to work on 58hu when hummingbird was still around. Good to see her flying still

That looks like Brewster Washington. I used to live up the river in Tonasket and my Ex In-laws had a Apple / Cherry orchard behind them. They HATED when the helos came over to dry them. I loved them. Lots of Jet Rangers and Hueys.

Man you’re brave to fly that bucket of bolts