Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
First Flight: March 11, 1959
Two seats
The S-61/H-3, developed from the U.S. Navy HSS-2 Sea King antisubmarine helicopter, was designed to fulfill a 1957 U.S. Navy requirement for an antisubmarine helicopter. Originally designated the HSS‑2, which was changed in 1962 to SH‑3, the Sea King entered U.S. Navy service in 1961. A relatively heavy helicopter for its time, the H‑3 had a large fuel capacity which gave it high endurance for antisubmarine warfare or long range for rescue missions.
The SH‑3A served as the basis for a variety of other Sikorsky military and commercial models. The VH‑3A was built for US Army and Marine Corps use as presidential helicopters.
An extensively revised fuselage from the original Sikorsky S‑61A and B models identifies the S‑61R, which was sold to the Air Force and Coast Guard as a search and rescue (HH‑3E/F) and utility‑cargo helicopter (CH‑3C/E).
A US Air Force variant was used extensively during the Vietnam War to rescue downed American flyers deep within North Vietnam.
The SH‑3A broke a number of speed records shortly after its service introduction. In December 1961, it set records for 3, 100, 500 and 1,000 kilometers at 199, 182.8, 179.5 and 179.3 mph, respectively. In February 1962, it became the first helicopter to break the 200‑mph barrier by registering 210.6 mph over a 19‑kilometer course. The current world’s records exceed these only marginally. A USAF HH‑3E made the first nonstop trans‑Atlantic helicopter flight.
The early S‑61A and B models have a boat‑type hull of metal semi‑monocoque construction and a folding tailboom to facilitate stowage. The S‑61R variants have a pod‑and‑boom, non‑watertight fuselage that is longer but narrower than the earlier Sea King versions, and a hydraulically operated rear ramp. All versions share the same five‑bladed main rotor and five‑bladed tail rotor system, except that the blades on the S‑61R series do not fold. The S‑61A and B have retractable twin main and non‑retractable single-tail wheel landing gear, while the S‑61R has a fully retractable tricycle undercarriage.
Sikorsky built more than 1,100 S-61’s in different models. This model was also built under license by Westland in Great Britain as Sea King and Commando, in Italy by Agusta as the AS-61, and in Japan by Mitsubishi.
According to the book, United States Naval Aviation 1910‑1970, the Museum’s aircraft, BuNo. 151556, was the next to last of a series of 36 HSS‑2 helicopters (BuNo. 151522 – BuNo. 151557) purchased from Sikorsky by the Navy. Purchases after that referred specifically to either SH‑3A or SH‑3D. No nameplate or contract number has been found to date to help in the identification of the date of acquisition.
According to Apostollo’s Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Helicopters, 12 SH‑3A’s (possibly 12 of the 36 mentioned above) were converted to HH‑3A’s for battlefield use. No date was given. The March 1970 issue of “Vertiflite” reports, “HH‑3A Undergoing Navy Trials,” describing firepower trials at Martha’s Vineyard, MA, with subsequent testing at NATC, Pax River, MD. The article further states that conversion kits from SH‑3A to HH-3A were to be shipped to Quonset Point, RI, for depot installation. It is assumed that the conversions were made subsequent to March 1970.
The cockpit of this aircraft has been treated to make it night vision goggle (NVG) compatible for GenII goggles. It is reasonable to assume that NVG compatibility was not part of the 1970 conversion kit.
| Aircraft Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Fuselage Length | 54 ft 9 in |
| Maximum Speed | 166 mph |
| Height | 16 ft 10 in |
| Empty Weight | 12,450 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 20,500 lbs |
| Engine | 2 1250 shp T 58 GE 8B |
| Source | National Museum of Naval Aviation Loan |