Lyndon Johnson Helicopter s51

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It may not seem odd these days to watch a political candidate whirl into a campaign stop riding a private plane or helicopter, but in 1948 it sure was. Imagine the excitement when the Lyndon Johnson helicopter s51 flew all over Texas, carrying Senate candidate Lyndon Baines Johnson to and from a variety of campaign stops.

With unlimited funds, the wealthy Johnson was able to buy an s51 helicopter to travel the state during the campaign which he ultimately won. He was the first politician to use a helicopter as a transportation devise during a campaign. Here are a few basic facts about the Lyndon Johnson Helicopter s51:

The s51 helicopter became available for commercial use in 1946. It was only the second commercial helicopter ever sold to the public.
Lyndon B. Johnson used an s51 helicopter during the spring and summer of 1948 in his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas
The s51 is a twin engine helicopter
The Lyndon Johnson helicopter s51 was the first ever used in a U.S. political campaign
The s51 was manufactured by American helicopter company, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Although Lyndon Johnson may have been the first politician to utilize the helicopter for quick entry and exits on his campaign stops, he certainly wasnâ€™t the last. Today, the helicopter is used frequently as an inexpensive form of transportation for politicians and businessmen alike.