The Sikorsky R-6 is an American light two-seat helicopter of the 1940s. In Royal Air Force and Royal Navy service, it was named the Hoverfly II .
73-454: The R-6/Hoverfly II was developed to improve on the successful Sikorsky R-4 . In order to enhance performance, a completely new streamlined fuselage was designed and the boom carrying the tail rotor was lengthened and straightened. The main rotor and transmission system of the R-4 were retained. Sikorsky allotted their Model 49 designation to the new design. Later, dynamically balanced modifications to
146-560: A 180 hp (130 kW) Warner R-550-1 Super Scarab engine, compared to the 165 hp (123 kW) Warner R-500-3 in the prototype, and a rotor diameter increased by 1 ft (30 cm). Evaluation of the YR-4A demonstrated a need for further improvements, including moving the tailwheel further aft on the tailboom, venting the exhaust to the side instead of downward, and increasing the fuel capacity by 5 US gal (4.2 imp gal; 19 L). These and other design changes led to
219-680: A 7,078 GRT cargo ship which was built by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Launched on 9 March 1944 and completed in May 1944. Sold in 1947 to Dorset Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Lulworth Hill . Operated under the management of Counties Ship Management Ltd. Renamed Castle Hill in 1949. Sold in 1950 to London & Overseas Freighters Ltd and renamed London Builder . Sold later that year to Societa Armadora Insular Sa, Panama and renamed Silver Wake . Sold in 1954 to Eastern Seas Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Navarino . Sold in 1955 to Stanthorpe Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Stanthorpe . Operated under
292-560: A 761 mi (1,225 km) cross-country flight from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Wright Field, Ohio, set a helicopter peak altitude record of 12,000 ft (3,700 m), while achieving 100 flight hours without a major incident and top airspeed approaching 90 mph (78 kn; 145 km/h) The British Admiralty , having learned of the VS-300, made a ship available, Empire Mersey , fitted with an 80 ft × 40 ft (24 m × 12 m) landing platform, intended to show
365-512: A Sikorsky R-4 carrying life saving blood plasma for the casualties from New York City. On 22–23 April 1944, U.S. Army Lieutenant Carter Harman of the 1st Air Commando Group conducted the first combat rescue by helicopter using a YR-4B in the China-Burma-India theater . Despite the high altitude, humidity, and capacity for only a single passenger, Harman rescued a downed liaison aircraft pilot and his three British soldier passengers, two at
438-413: A minute the plane falls out of control. Pilots of regular planes say it's easy to identify a helicopter pilot – he has a permanent case of the shakes." Data from General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era List of Empire ships (M)#Empire Mersey Hundreds of Empire ships were employed by
511-462: A time. On 22–23 January 1945, another rescue by the R-4 involved several legs for refueling and navigating through passes between mountains nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 m) tall, to reach a weather station located at an elevation of 4,700 feet (1,400 m). The higher-than-normal altitude required a downhill run of 20 ft (6.1 m) to get airborne. While the R-4 was being used for rescues in Burma and China, it
584-578: The Belgian Government in 1942 and renamed Belgian Seaman . Damaged on 13 January 1942 by enemy bombing off Yorkshire ( 54°22′N 00°19′W / 54.367°N 0.317°W / 54.367; -0.317 ), later repaired. Sold in 1946 to Armement Deppe SA, Belgium and renamed Anvers . Sold in 1952 to Compagnie Belge d'Expansion Maritimes and renamed Clervaux . Sold in 1960 to M Angelos Ltd, London and renamed Mihalis Angelos . Sold in 1963 to Maradelanto Compagnia Navigazione, operated under
657-884: The Chinese Government and renamed Hoping Wu Shi San . Renamed Ho Ping 53 c1979 and renamed Zhan Dou 53 c1985. Empire Mavis was a 5,704 GRT (8,800 DWT) cargo ship which was built by Northwest Steel Co , Portland , Oregon . Completed in December 1918 as West Raritans for the USSB. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed Empire Mavis . Allocated to the Dutch Government in 1942 and renamed Jan van Goyen . Sold in 1946 to Halcyon Lijn NV, Netherlands and renamed Stad Maastricht . Sold in 1955 to Compagnia La Plana, Panama and renamed Amaver . Scrapped in January 1959 at Avilés , Spain. Empire Maya
730-619: The Clyde with engine damage. A new steam engine and boilers were fitted before she was sold in 1946 to the South American Saint Line Ltd and renamed St Ina . Sold in 1948 to Bristol City Line and renamed Wells City . Sold in 1951 to East & West Steamship Company , Karachi and renamed Fausta . Scrapped in October 1963 in Karachi. Empire Mariott was a 5,970 GRT cargo ship which
803-468: The Egyptian Government in 1959. Empire MacKay was an 8,908 GRT MAC tanker which was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd , Govan . Laid down as British Wisdom and launched on 17 June 1943 as Empire Mackay . Completed in October 1943. Sold in 1946 to British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed British Swordfish . Arrived on 21 May 1959 at Rotterdam , Netherlands for scrapping. Empire MacKendrick
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#1733085427946876-654: The Government of the United Kingdom . They were acquired from a number of sources: many were built for the government; others obtained from the United States ; still others were captured or seized from enemy powers. Empire ships were mostly used during World War II by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT), which owned the ships but contracted out their management to various shipping lines; however, some ships requisitioned during
949-510: The Suez Crisis were also named as Empire ships. Most Empire ships have since been lost or scrapped; however, a few still remain in active service or preserved. Empire MacAlpine was a 7,954 GRT Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) cargo ship which was built by Burntisland Shipbuilding Company Ltd, Fife . Launched on 23 December 1942 and completed in April 1943. On 1 July 1943, Empire MacAlpine
1022-686: The United States Navy (USN). It was initially intended to pass 150 R-6s to the Royal Air Force (RAF), but delays caused by the switch of production from Sikorsky's factory at Stratford, Connecticut , to Nash-Kelvinator at Detroit , Michigan , meant that only 27 R-6As were actually delivered to the RAF as the Hoverfly II . Fifteen of these were passed on to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Some of
1095-614: The Admiralty and renamed W 30 . Transferred in 1963 to the Ministry of Public Building and Works. Offered for sale in 1973 at Rosyth by the Board of Trade . Empire Marston was an 8,175 GRT tanker which was built by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees . Launched on 27 June 1946 as Empire Marston and completed in December 1946 as RFA Wave Pioneer . Arrived on 11 June 1960 at Inverkeithing , Fife for scrapping. Empire Martaban
1168-571: The RAF examples were allotted to 657 Squadron RAF for proving the use of helicopters in the Army Co-operation role, and two external stretchers could be fitted to the fuselage. 657 Squadron operated their Hoverfly IIs as Air Observation Posts, spotting for Army artillery units. The Hoverfly IIs remained in operation until April 1951, and one squadron example was displayed at the September 1950 Farnborough Air Show . The FAA used their Hoverfly IIs in
1241-556: The USN their work with ship-borne autogyros . After her loss in 1942 to a U-boat , she was replaced by SS Daghestan . The first deck-landing trials aboard Daghestan were carried out in 1944. The British received two of the first eight helicopters built. On 5 January 1943, the United States Army Air Forces ordered 29 prototypes. The first three were designated YR-4A and used for evaluation testing. The YR-4A benefited from
1314-598: The bullion was salvaged by salvage vessel Droxford . It was landed at Town Quay, Southampton in November 1973 and taken under escort to the Bank of England , London. Empire Maple was a 129 GRT tug which was built by R Dunston Ltd, Thorne . Launched on 20 May 1941 and completed in September 1941. Allocated in 1947 to the Government of Poland and renamed Tarpan . Deleted from shipping registers in 1962, allocated to port work only but possibly scrapped about this time. Empire March
1387-451: The civil market in the late 1940s but none now remain in operation. Four are currently displayed in US museums. Data from Thetford, 1977 General characteristics Performance Related development Sikorsky R-4 The Sikorsky R-4 is a two-seat helicopter that was designed by Igor Sikorsky with a single, three-bladed main rotor and powered by a radial engine. The R-4
1460-422: The designation of later prototypes as YR-4B, which were used for service testing and flight training. United Aircraft announced on 5 November 1944 that the one hundredth helicopter had been completed, and that the production rate had reached five every six days. Following the explosion and sinking in January 1944 of USS Turner , U.S. Coast Guard Commander Frank Erickson flew the first U.S. helicopter rescue in
1533-569: The following day a fire developed when chemical cargo reacted with seawater. Empire Manor was abandoned and she broke in two the following day, with the stern section sinking. Bow section sunk by depth charges from HMCS Kenogami . After she had been sunk, a coded message was passed that Empire Manor was carrying gold bullion . Wreck located in 1953 at 43°53′N 53°04′W / 43.883°N 53.067°W / 43.883; -53.067 by salvage vessel Twyford of Risdon Beazley Marine Salvage Co Ltd , Southampton . In September 1973,
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#17330854279461606-537: The largest combat helicopter operation before the Korean War. On June 15, 1945, the Fifth Air Force received a request from the 38th Infantry Division to evacuate two soldiers with head injuries from a spot 35 miles (56 km) east of Manila . Carle flew one of his ship's Sikorsky R-4 helicopters and landed near the front lines, much to the amazement of the soldiers, who had never seen a helicopter. The helicopter
1679-450: The management of Chios Navigation Co Ltd, London. Scrapped in October 1970 at Hsingkiang , China. Empire MacCabe was a 9,249 GRT MAC tanker which was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd , Newcastle upon Tyne . Launched on 18 May 1943 and completed in November 1943. Sold in 1946 to British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed British Escort . Sold in 1960 to River Line Ltd, Bermuda and renamed Easthill Escort . Operated under
1752-618: The management of Dracoulis Ltd, London in 1953. Renamed Eudoxia in 1957. Sold in 1959 to Phorkyss Shipping Corporation, Panama and renamed Phorkyss . Operated under the management of H C Dracoulis, Greece. Scrapped in November 1960 in Osaka , Japan. Empire MacColl was a 9,133 GRT MAC tanker which was built by Cammell Laird & Co Ltd , Birkenhead . Launched on 21 July 1943 and completed in November 1943. Sold in 1946 to British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed British Pilot . Arrived on 21 August 1962 at Faslane for scrapping. Empire MacDermott
1825-693: The management of H P Lenaghan & Sons Ltd, Belfast . Sold in 1954 to Great Eastern Shipping Co Ltd, Bombay and renamed Jag Shanti . Arrived on 9 September 1961 at Bombay for scrapping. Empire Malta was a 3,539 GRT (4,310 DWT) cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 24 March 1944 and completed in May 1944. Sold in 1946 to Williamson & Co, Hong Kong, then later that year to Indo-China Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London and renamed Hangsang . Sold in 1960 to Continental Navigation & Enterprises Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed Slight Wind . Sold in 1964 to Sunbeam Navigation Co Ltd, Panama and renamed Sunbeam . Operated under
1898-416: The management of Hunting & Son Ltd. Sold in 1955 to D B & E A Montanari, Italy and converted to a bulk carrier . Sold in 1959 to Pacific Ruler Corporation, Liberia and renamed Panaghia T . Operated under the management of Tsakalatos Navigation Corporation, New York. On 8 August 1960 she ran aground 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Tamandaré , Brazil after a fire broke out in her engine room. She
1971-476: The management of J A Billmeir & Co Ltd. Sold in 1961 to Mullion & Co Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed Ardbrae . Arrived on 1 March 1966 at Onomichi , Japan for scrapping. Empire Manor was a 7,036 GRT cargo ship which was built by Short Brothers Ltd , Sunderland. Launched on 8 April 1943 and completed in July 1943. Hit amidships on 27 January 1944 with Liberty ship Edward Kavanagh and holed. Taken in tow but
2044-533: The management of J Manners & Co Ltd, Hong Kong . Sold in 1965 to San Fernando Steamship Co, Hong Kong and renamed Djatingaleh , remaining under Manners' management and renamed San Ernesto in 1966. Renamed Pacific Endeavour and placed under the management of Jaguar Shipping Corp Ltd, Hong Kong in 1968. Sold in 1969 to Compagnia Nueve del Oriente SA, Panama , remaining under Jaguar's management. Arrived on 21 February in Hong Kong for scrapping. Empire MacAndrew
2117-698: The management of M Angelos Ltd. sold in 1965 to Celestial Shipping Corporation SA, Panama and renamed Gloria . Operated under the management of Gloria Shipping Ltd, Hong Kong. Arrived on 6 December 1967 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping. Empire Mauritius was a 7,320 GRT cargo ship which was built by Bartram & Sons Ltd , Sunderland. Launched on 30 October 1944 and completed in February 1945. Sold in 1947 to Bury Hill Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Markab . Sold in 1956 to Motor Shipping Corporation of Seven Seas, Panama and renamed Matador . Sold in 1958 to J Manners Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed Yangtse Breeze . Sold in 1959 to
2190-546: The management of Mitchell, Cotts & Co Ltd. Sold in 1960 to Escort Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Happy Seafarer . Operated under the management of Mariner Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong. Scrapped in July 1966 at Hirao, Japan. Empire Mars was an 8,199 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. To the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1946 and renamed RFA Wave Duke . Arrived in tow on 25 December 1969 at Bilbao , Spain for scrapping. Empire Marshal
2263-431: The management of Moller Line Ltd, Hong Kong. Ran aground on 9 March 1965 near Sakata , Japan. Broke in two on 14 March, a constructive total loss. One part was refloated in October 1965 and the other in September 1966; both were scrapped by Japanese shipbreakers. Empire Marshland was a 683 GRT dredger which was built by William Simons & Co Ltd, Renfrew . Launched on 21 February 1946 and completed later that year. To
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2336-422: The management of Mollers Ltd, Hong Kong. Scrapped in 1962 in Hong Kong. Empire MacCallum was an 8,252 GRT MAC cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd , Port Glasgow . Launched on 12 October 1943 and completed in December 1943. Sold in 1947 to Doris Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Doris Clunies . Operated under the management of Olsen, Johnston & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Renamed Sunrover in 1951, placed under
2409-452: The management of Mollers Ltd, London. Sold in 1949 to Motor Lines Ltd, operated under the management of Olsen, Johnston & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Sold in 1954 to V Torkildsen, Norway and renamed Tobon . Sold in 1964 to W Kubon, Norway. Sold in 1967 to Aghia Paraskevi Corporation, Greece and renamed Despina . Operated under the management of Pontikos Shipping Agencies Ltd, London. Scrapped in April 1971 at Kaohsiung , Taiwan . Empire MacSorely
2482-920: The management of Patt, Mansfield & Co Ltd, Hong Kong. On 23 July 1969 she suffered a major engine breakdown in the South China Sea and was towed to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Scrapped in November 1970 at Kaohsiung. Empire Mammoth was a 938 GRT bucket dredger which was built by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd , Paisley . Launched on 6 July 1945 and completed in November 1945. To the Admiralty in 1946 and renamed st Ives . To Ministry of Public Building and Works in 1963 and renamed Bucket Dredger W 2 . Sold c1970 to H G Pounds , Portsmouth . Renamed St Ives , sold in 1972 to an Italian buyer. On 27 December 1972, St Ives capsized in bad weather north-west of Ferrol , Spain while under tow by tug Smit Pioneer and sank at 44°21′N 08°57′W / 44.350°N 8.950°W / 44.350; -8.950 . Empire Mandalay
2555-582: The management of Tsavliris Shipping Ltd, London. Sold in 1969 to Free Trader Shipping Ltd, Cyprus. Remained under Tsavliris's management. Ran aground on 16 September 1970 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Terschelling lighthouse ( 53°25′N 05°00′E / 53.417°N 5.000°E / 53.417; 5.000 ). Refloated on 18 September and towed to Amsterdam . Departed Amsterdam on 29 September 1970 in tow of tug Nisos Zakynthos bound for Piraeus , Greece. Laid up on arrival. Arrived on 1 May 1972 at Derince , Turkey for scrapping. Empire Maldon
2628-643: The management of William Coombs & Sons, Llanelli . Sold in 1956 to John S Monks Ltd, Liverpool and renamed Cliffville . On 12 May 1958, she developed a leak, heeled over and sank at Meadowside Granary Wharf, Glasgow. Refloated on 14 July 1958 and sent to drydock where she was declared a constructive total loss. Scrapped in Dublin . Empire Marlowe was a 6,768 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 6 October 1941 and completed in December 1941. Sold in 1946 to Sun Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Cape St David . Operated under
2701-624: The management of Yick Fung Shipping & Enterprises, Hong Kong. Sold in 1976 to the Government of the People's Republic of China . Empire Mace was a 7,177 GRT (11,650 tons displacement ) cargo ship which was built by Consolidated Steel Corporation , Wilmington , California . Laid down as Cape St Roque and completed in December 1943 as Empire Mace for MoWT. Transferred to the Royal Navy in 1944 as HMS Galtee More . Sold in 1957 to Société Misr de Navigation Maritime, Egypt and renamed Misr . To
2774-524: The rotor were carried out by Doman Helicopters Inc. The new aircraft could attain 100 mph (160 km/h) compared with 82 mph (132 km/h) by the earlier design. Initial production was by Sikorsky, but most examples were built by Nash-Kelvinator . Some of the later aircraft were fitted with more powerful engines. The first R-6s were delivered to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in late 1944 and some were transferred to
2847-451: The same plane and vibrated excessively. The cyclic made continuous small orbits, vibrating continuously. There was no governor to control rotor speed, and the pilot had to correlate the throttle continuously with collective pitch inputs. The Chicago Tribune reported on Carle's efforts to transport the wounded. They wrote that the "control stick shakes like a jackhammer, and the pilot must hold it tightly at all times. Should he relax for even
2920-519: The training and liaison roles. Naval units to use the type included 771 Squadron from December 1945, followed by 705 Squadron . The USAAF operated their R-6s in secondary roles and the survivors were redesignated H-6A in 1948. The USN examples were designated the HOS-1 and a further 64 were intended to be transferred from the USAAF, but this did not take place. Disposals of surplus military S-49s were made in
2993-723: Was a 244 GRT tug which was built by Henry Scarr Ltd , Hessle . Launched on 23 May 1943 and completed in July 1943. Sold in 1947 to Clyde Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Flying Typhoon . Sold in 1961 to Newport Screw Towing Co Ltd and renamed Dunhawk . Scrapped in 1969 at Newport Monmouthshire . Empire Malacca was a 7,071 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool . Launched on 10 June 1944 and completed in August 1944. Sold in 1946 to T & J Brocklebank Ltd and renamed Mandasor . Sold in 1962 to Tsavliris Shipping Ltd, London and renamed Fotini Tsavliris . Sold in 1963 to Kantara Shipping Ltd, Cyprus. Operated under
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3066-555: Was a 244 GRT tug which was built by Henry Scarr Ltd , Hessle . Launched on 8 March 1943 and completed in May 1943. Sold in 1947 to Metal Industries Ltd and renamed Metinda IV . Sold in 1948 to Alexandra Towing Co Ltd and renamed Flying Kestrel . Scrapped in March 1969 at Passage West , Co Cork . Empire Masefield was a 7,023 GRT cargo ship which was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Launched on 26 August 1941 and completed in October 1941. Allocated to
3139-591: Was a 292 GRT tug which was built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby . Launched on 28 April 1945 and completed in October 1945. Sold in 1947 to James Contracting & Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Foremost 106 . Sold in 1949 to Union de Rem. et Sauv., Antwerp and renamed Georges Letzer . Fitted with a new diesel engine in 1964. Empire Marvell was a 9,821 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 17 January 1942 and completed in April 1942. Sold in 1946 to Northern Petroleum Tank Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Bloomfield . Operated under
3212-402: Was a 3,750 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 19 November 1945 and completed in April 1946. Sold in 1946 to Imperial Oil Co Ltd, Canada and renamed Imperial Halifax . Sold in 1970 to Johnston Shipping Ltd, Canada and renamed Congar . Scrapped in November 1977 at Hamilton , Ontario . Empire Mallard was a 4,957 GRT (7,500 DWT) cargo ship which
3285-456: Was a 394 GRT coaster which was built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley . Launched on 10 July 1945 and completed in October 1945. Sold in 1948 to Ho Hong Steamship Co (1932) Ltd, Singapore and renamed Hong Ann . Sold in 1954 to Pacific Shipowners Ltd and renamed Ai Sokula . Operated under the management of W R Carpenter & Co Ltd, Australia. Sold in 1963 to Milne Bros, Marshall Islands and renamed Nei Raete II . Empire Maydream
3358-398: Was a 394 coaster which was built by S P Austin & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 27 March 1945 and completed in July 1945. Sold in 1947 to Straits Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Merliman . Sold in 1957 to A Gill & Co (Private) Ltd, India and renamed Margaret Rose was On 9 June 1959 she was hit by a tsunami off Okha Port and later capsized and sank off Dwarka . Empire Maybury
3431-417: Was a 4,957 GRT cargo ship which was built by Deutsche Werft , Hamburg . Launched in 1922 as Schwarzwald . Sold in 1935 to H Vogemann, Hamburg and renamed Rheingold . Sailed in October 1939 from Bahia , Brazil in an attempt to return to Germany but was captured on 25 October by Delhi and escorted to Kirkwall then Glasgow. To Ministry of Shipping and renamed Empire Mariner . On 26 July 1943 she put into
3504-412: Was a 413 GRT coaster which was built by A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen. Launched on 4 April 1946 as Empire Maydream and completed later that year as Maydream for Ta Hing (H K) Ltd, Hong Kong. Operated under the management of Mollers Ltd, Hong Kong. Renamed Wing Hing in 1947, now 563 GRT. sold in 1948 to Wallem & Co, Hong Kong. on 12 February 1950, she caught fire and was beached at Chilang Point, as
3577-529: Was a 5,107 GRT (7,500 DWT) cargo ship which was built by American International Shipbuilding Co, Hog Island , Pennsylvania . Completed in 1920 as Liberty Bell for the USSB. To Pioneer Steamship Corp, New York in 1920, returned to USSB in 1921. To Lykes Brothers-Ripley Steamship Co Inc in 1933 then to MoWT in 1940 and renamed Empire Mahseer . Torpedoed on 4 March 1943 and sunk by U-160 at 32°01′S 30°48′E / 32.017°S 30.800°E / -32.017; 30.800 . Empire Maiden
3650-575: Was a 6,327 GRT cargo ship which was built by C Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Launched on 9 July 1941 and completed in August 1941. Sold in 1946 to C Cravos & Co, Cardiff and renamed Ampleforth . On 23 January 1947 she dragged her anchors and ran aground at Tel Aviv , Palestine . Refloated on 3 March and arrived under tow on 10 March at Alexandria , Egypt. Declared a constructive total loss and sold. Towed to Genoa then Palermo , where she arrived on 6 November 1947. Repaired and sold in 1948 to Irish Bay Lines Ltd and renamed Bangor Bay . Operated under
3723-401: Was a 7,086 GRT cargo ship which was built by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 29 October 1944 and completed in December 1944. Sold in 1946 to T & J Harrison and renamed Tribesman . Sold in 1961 to Margalante Compagnia Navigazione, Panama and renamed Delta . Sold later that year to Sigma Shipping Co Ltd. Scrapped in December 1961 in Hong Kong. Empire Mandarin was
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#17330854279463796-871: Was a 7,090 GRT cargo ship which was built by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd , Barrow in Furness . Launched on 20 February 1942 and completed in April 1942. Attacked on 1 January 1943 and sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from the German raider Michel in the South Atlantic . Empire Margaret was a 235 GRT tug which was built by A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen . Laid down as Empire Margaret and launched on 16 June 1946 as Sun XVII . Completed in November 1946 for W H J Alexander Ltd. Sold in 1968 to Società Rim. Napoletani, Italy and renamed Rania G . Scrapped in June 1983 in Palermo, Italy. Empire Mariner
3869-400: Was a 7,542 GRT cargo ship which was built by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Burntisland . Launched on 15 September 1944 and completed in November 1944. Sold in 1951 to Aviation & Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Avistone . Operated under the management of Purvis Shipping Co Ltd. Sold in 1960 to Faik Zeren, Turkey and renamed Turkiye . Scrapped in February 1972 at Istanbul . Empire Martha
3942-455: Was a 7,836 GRT heavy lift ship which was built by Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd , Greenock . Launched on 14 May 1945 and completed in November 1945. On her maiden voyage her cargoes consisted of nine TID tugs, ten lighters and a 100 feet (30 m) long oil separator, all bound for Hong Kong. Sold in 1947 to Pandelis Shipping Co Ltd, London. On 14 July 1952 she suffered an explosion in her engine room while at Pusan , South Korea. In August 1952 she
4015-615: Was a 7,933 GRT MAC cargo ship which was built by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Burntisland. Launched on 29 September 1943 and completed in December 1943. Sold in 1947 to Mediterranean & Atlantic Lines Ltd and renamed Granpond . Operated under the management of Goulandris Bros Ltd, London. Sold in 1951 to Compagnia Maritima de Este SA, Panama and renamed Condor . Operated under the management of Goulandris Bros Ltd, Greece. Sold in 1955 to Turnbull, Scott Shipping Co Ltd, London and renamed Saltersgate . Sold in 1957 to Navigation Bulgare Maritime and renamed Vassil Levsky . On 6 June 1967 she
4088-515: Was a 7,952 GRT MAC cargo ship which was built by William Denny & Bros Ltd , Dumbarton . Launched on 3 May 1943 and completed in July 1943. Sold in 1947 to McCowan & Gross Ltd, London and renamed Derryheen . Sold in 1951 to Cape of Good Hope Motor Ship Co Ltd and renamed Cape Grafton . Operated under the management of Lyle Shipping Co Ltd, Glasgow . Sold in 1963 to Patricia Compagnia Navigazione SA, Liberia and renamed Patricia . Sold in 1968 to Pomos Shipping Co Ltd, Cyprus , operated under
4161-451: Was a 7,952 GRT MAC cargo ship which was built by William Denny & Bros Ltd, Dumbarton. Launched on 24 January 1944 and completed in March 1944. Sold in 1948 to Buries, Markes Ltd, London and renamed La Cumbre . Sold in 1959 to Canero Compagnia Navigazione SA, Panama and renamed Parnon . Operated under the management of Lyras Bros Ltd, London. Sold in 1969 to Southern Shipping & Enterprises Co Ltd and renamed Starlight . Operated under
4234-562: Was also being used to ferry parts between floating Aviation Repair Units (part of Operation Ivory Soap ) in the South Pacific. On 23 May 1944, six ships set sail with two R-4s on board each vessel. The ships had been configured as floating repair depots for damaged Army Air Forces aircraft in the South Pacific. When the helicopters were not being used to fly the parts from one location to another, they were enlisted for medical evacuation and other mercy missions. Helicopter pilot 2LT Louis Carle
4307-710: Was an 813 GRT coaster which was built by A & J Inglis Ltd , Glasgow. Launched on 20 December 1941 and completed in March 1942. Bombed on 14 June 1943 and sunk at Pantelleria , Italy. The wreck was sold in 1947 to Italian buyers, raised and towed to Messina , arriving on 5 July 1948. Repaired, with a new steam engine being fitted. Sold to G Dagnino, Italy. Sold in 1953 to Astrolea Società Anonima, Italy and renamed Asteria . Sold in 1958 to Lugari & Filippi, Italy and renamed Sanjacopo . New diesel engine fitted in 1962. Sold in 1968 to Società Anonima di Navigazione, Italy. Sold in 1972 to Lidia Melodia Ved. Lugari, Italy. Scrapped in July 1974 at Spezia , Italy. Empire Maisie
4380-659: Was assigned to the Brigadier General Clinton W. Russell , the Fifth Aircraft Repair Unit. From June 15 to July 29, 1945, Carle and five other pilots evacuated 75 to 80 wounded soldiers, one or two at a time, from the highlands northeast of Manila. They were the second group of helicopter pilots after Lieutenant Carter Harman to evacuate wounded via helicopter during World War II. Unlike Harman, they were targeted by Japanese soldiers who tried to shoot them down with machine guns. Their six-week effort constitutes
4453-507: Was built by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , Kearny , New Jersey . Completed as Bellemina for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). To MoWT in 1941 and renamed Empire Madge . Sold in 1946 to Williamson & Co, Hong Kong. Sold in 1948 to Yui Kong, China and renamed Jui Hsin . Sold in 1950 to Pacific Union Marine, Panama and renamed Atlantic Unity . Scrapped in April 1959 at Hirao , Japan. Empire Mahseer
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#17330854279464526-494: Was built by Todd Drydock and Construction Company , Tacoma, Washington . Ordered as War Comrade for the British Shipping Controller , London and completed as Anacortes for the USSB. To French American Lin in 1920, returning to USSB later that year. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed Empire Mallard . Collided on 26 September 1941 with Empire Moon and sank near Point Armour, Strait of Belle Isle . Empire Mallore
4599-496: Was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend. Launched on 2 July 1943 and completed in December 1943. Sold in 1946 to Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd and renamed Naninia . Arrived on 17 March 1960 at Hong Kong for scrapping. Empire MacRae was an 8,252 GRT MAC cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd , Port Glasgow. Launched on 21 June 1943 and completed in September 1943. Sold in 1947 to Alpha South African Steamship Co and renamed Alpha Zambesi . Operated under
4672-616: Was built by William Pickersgill & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 25 August 1941 and completed in October 1941. Sold in 1946 to I Williams & Co Ltd, Cardiff and renamed Graigdale . Sold in 1962 to New Dholera Steamships Ltd, India and renamed Jayshoor . Scrapped in September 1969 in Bombay. Empire Marksman was a 965 GRT (1,100 DWT) coaster which was built by Scott & Sons, Bowling, West Dunbartonshire. Launched on 26 January 1944 and completed in March 1944. Sold in 1948 to Afon Lliedi Steamship Co and renamed Afon Morlais . Operated under
4745-577: Was detained in the Great Bitter Lake due to the Arab–Israeli conflict . Released on 5 June 1975 when the Suez Canal was reopened to traffic. Arrived under tow on 22 July 1975 at Split , Yugoslavia for scrapping. Empire Mackenzie was to have been a MAC ship , but the contract for building her was cancelled after the name had been allocated. Empire MacMahon was an 8,856 GRT MAC tanker which
4818-548: Was developed from the famous experimental VS-300 helicopter, invented by Igor Sikorsky and publicly demonstrated in 1940. The VS-316 was designated the XR-4, under the United States Army Air Forces ' series for "Rotorcraft". The XR-4 first flew on 14 January 1942 and was accepted by the Army on 30 May 1942. The XR-4 exceeded all the previous helicopter endurance altitude and airspeed records that had been set before it. The XR-4 completed
4891-534: Was in collision with Empire Ibex in the north Atlantic ( 53°30′N 36°25′W / 53.500°N 36.417°W / 53.500; -36.417 ) and her bow was badly damaged. Empire Ibex was abandoned on 2 July and sank. Sold in 1947 to McCowan & Gross Ltd, London and renamed Derrynane . Sold in 1951 to Power Steamship Co Ltd and renamed Huntsbrook . Operated under the management of O Gross & Sons Ltd, London. Sold in 1959 to South Breeze Navigation Co Ltd and renamed Suva Breeze . Operated under
4964-518: Was not configured to handle stretchers, and they removed a seat and placed the wounded man on the aircraft floor. Carle flew the soldier to the 311th General Field Hospital near Manila. Once word got out of their availability, they were called on again and again. Carle flew seven hours and made six evacuations on the same day. In Royal Air Force service, the R-4 was called the Hoverfly . The Helicopter Training School, formed January 1945 at RAF Andover ,
5037-897: Was refloated on 5 September and towed to Recife . She left Recife under tow on 31 August 1961 and arrived at Ymuiden , Netherlands on 7 October. Arrived on 19 December 1961 at Vigo , Spain for scrapping. Empire Mary was a 487 GRT tug which was built by Clelands (Successors) Ltd , Willington Quay-on-Tyne . Launched on 17 October 1944 as Empire Jean and completed in January 1945 as Empire Mary . Sold in 1946 to Overseas Towage & Salvage Co Ltd and renamed Marinia . Sold in 1950 to Union des Remorquage de Dakar and renamed W Ponty . Renamed Ponty in 1954. Sold in 1961 to Société Belge Remorquage Oceanique, Ostend , Belgium and renamed Ocean Bull . Sold in 1965 to SA Italiene Lavore e Maritimi, Italy and renamed Nettuno . Renamed Nettuno Sailem in 1984 and scrapped in May 1985 in Palermo , Italy. Empire Mascot
5110-433: Was the first British military unit to be equipped with the helicopter. Many RAF Hoverfly Mark Is were transferred to the Royal Navy for training and one was used in 1945–46 by Fairey Aviation to develop rotor systems for their Gyrodyne helicopter. The helicopter was difficult to fly. The aircraft's blades were made of wood ribs around a steel spar and covered with doped fabric. The blades were difficult to keep rotating in
5183-588: Was the world's first large-scale mass-produced helicopter and the first helicopter used by the United States Army Air Forces , the United States Navy , the United States Coast Guard and the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy . In U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard service, the helicopter was known as the Sikorsky HNS-1 . In British service it was known as the Hoverfly . The VS-316
5256-471: Was to have been a MAC ship , but the contract for building her was cancelled after the name had been allocated. Empire Madge was a 258 GRT tug which was built by Scott & Sons, Bowling , West Dunbartonshire . Launched on 30 April 1945 and completed in June 1945. To the Admiralty in 1947 and renamed Weasel . Scrapped in November 1968 at Singapore . Empire Magpie was a 6,211 GRT cargo ship which
5329-498: Was towed to Nagasaki , Japan and laid up as a constructive total loss. She was sold in 1954 and departed Nagasaki on 20 December 1954 under tow bound for Hong Kong. She was refitted by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co , with a diesel engine from the MV Elax fitted. This engine had been fitted to the 1927 built Elax in 1946, Elax was then scrapped. Sold in 1955 to Trader Line Ltd, Bermuda and renamed Bermuda Trader . Operated under
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