Sikorsky S-61R
Encyclopedia
The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter
used in transport or search and rescue
roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta
as the AS-61R. The S-61R served in the United States Air Force
as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard
as the HH-3F "Pelican".
The Sikorsky
S-61R was developed as a derivative of their S-61/SH-3 Sea King model. It features a substantially-revised fuselage with a rear loading ramp, a conventional though water-tight hull instead of the S-61's boat-hull, and retractable tricycle landing gear. The fuselage layout was used by Sikorsky for the larger CH-53
variants, and by the much later (though similarly-sized) S-92
.
Sikorsky designed and built a S-61R prototype as a private venture with its first flight in 1963. During its development, the US Air Force
placed an order for the aircraft, which was designated CH-3C. The Air Force used the CH-3C to recover downed pilots. The CH-3E variant with more powerful engines would follow in 1965.
The improved HH-3E variant would follow later, with eight built, and all 50 CH-3Es were converted to this standard. Known as the Jolly Green Giant, the HH-3E featured protective armor, self-sealing tanks, a retractable inflight refueling probe, jettisonable external tanks, a high-speed hoist, and other specialized equipment. 50 CH-3 variants were converted to HH-3E standards for SAR work.
In 1965, U.S. Coast Guard
ordered a version designated, HH-3F Sea King (more commonly known by its nickname "Pelican") for all-weather air-sea rescue
. The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port, and water landing capability.
Italian Agusta built a S-61R variant, named AS-61R under license. Agusta produced 22 helicopters for the Italian Air Force. The company claimed it could re-open the production line in 36 months to build additional AS-61 helicopters.
(MAC), rescue squadrons of the Air Combat Command
(ACC) and other USAF major commands worldwide. The aircraft was also used by a number of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard
rescue squadrons. All USAF HH-3Es, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, were retired in the 1990s and replaced by the current HH-60G Pavehawk.
HH-3F Sea King was a dependable workhorse from the late 1960s until it was phased out in the late 1990s. All USCG HH-3Fs have since been replaced by the HH-60J Jayhawk.
at Le Bourget after a 30 hr 46 min flight. The operation needed nine in-flight refuelings.. Both helicopters were later lost in combat operations in Southeast Asia in 1969 and 1970.
military award, the Medal of Honor
, was awarded to Captain Gerald Young
, on 9 November 1967. Young piloted HH-3E 66-13279 of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
in an attempt to rescue an Army team trapped by enemy fire in Laos
. When his aircraft was shot down, he escaped the burning wreckage and, despite severe wounds, evaded capture for 17 hours until being rescued.
began production in 1974 and delivered 22 helicopters as replacements for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross
used for SAR (Search and Rescue) missions at sea. Italian Air Force AS-61R helicopters perform SAR missions in time of peace and C/SAR (Combat SAR) in time of crisis or during military assignment. All helicopters are operated by the 5 flights of the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna and deployed in 4 bases across Italy.
From 1993 15° Stormo carry support missions to the civilians during natural catastrophes and disasters in Italy. 83º Centro C/SAR is engaged with SAR missions in the hostile zones of the several operations abroad where Italian Armed Forces are deployed - Somalia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
HR3S-1
S-61R-10
S-61R-12
CH-3C
CH-3E
HH-3E Jolly Green Giant
MH-3E
VH-3E
HH-3F "Pelican"
AS-61R (HH-3F Pelican)
Stored or under restoration
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
used in transport or search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta
Agusta
Agusta is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It is based in Samarate, Northern Italy. It is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907...
as the AS-61R. The S-61R served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
as the HH-3F "Pelican".
Development
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
S-61R was developed as a derivative of their S-61/SH-3 Sea King model. It features a substantially-revised fuselage with a rear loading ramp, a conventional though water-tight hull instead of the S-61's boat-hull, and retractable tricycle landing gear. The fuselage layout was used by Sikorsky for the larger CH-53
CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
variants, and by the much later (though similarly-sized) S-92
Sikorsky S-92
The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
.
Sikorsky designed and built a S-61R prototype as a private venture with its first flight in 1963. During its development, the US Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
placed an order for the aircraft, which was designated CH-3C. The Air Force used the CH-3C to recover downed pilots. The CH-3E variant with more powerful engines would follow in 1965.
The improved HH-3E variant would follow later, with eight built, and all 50 CH-3Es were converted to this standard. Known as the Jolly Green Giant, the HH-3E featured protective armor, self-sealing tanks, a retractable inflight refueling probe, jettisonable external tanks, a high-speed hoist, and other specialized equipment. 50 CH-3 variants were converted to HH-3E standards for SAR work.
In 1965, U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
ordered a version designated, HH-3F Sea King (more commonly known by its nickname "Pelican") for all-weather air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
. The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port, and water landing capability.
Italian Agusta built a S-61R variant, named AS-61R under license. Agusta produced 22 helicopters for the Italian Air Force. The company claimed it could re-open the production line in 36 months to build additional AS-61 helicopters.
United States
USAF variants served in numerous air rescue squadrons and aerospace rescue and recovery squadrons of the Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(MAC), rescue squadrons of the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC) and other USAF major commands worldwide. The aircraft was also used by a number of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
rescue squadrons. All USAF HH-3Es, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, were retired in the 1990s and replaced by the current HH-60G Pavehawk.
HH-3F Sea King was a dependable workhorse from the late 1960s until it was phased out in the late 1990s. All USCG HH-3Fs have since been replaced by the HH-60J Jayhawk.
Transatlantic flight
Between 31 May and 1 June 1967, two HH-3Es of the United States Air Force made the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean by helicopter. Departing from New York in the early hours, the two helicopters arrived at the 1967 Paris Air ShowParis Air Show
The Paris Air Show is the world's oldest and largest air show. Established in 1909, it is currently held every odd year at Le Bourget Airport in north Paris, France...
at Le Bourget after a 30 hr 46 min flight. The operation needed nine in-flight refuelings.. Both helicopters were later lost in combat operations in Southeast Asia in 1969 and 1970.
Honours and awards
Due to the nature of combat operations, particularly in Southeast Asia, many of the operational H-3 crews received honors and awards. The highest AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military award, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, was awarded to Captain Gerald Young
Gerald O. Young
Gerald Orren Young was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
, on 9 November 1967. Young piloted HH-3E 66-13279 of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron was a rescue squadron of the USAF active during the Vietnam War.-History:On 8 January 1966, the 37th ARRS was activated at Danang Air Base operating 5 HU-16s on loan from the 31st ARRS and the 33rd ARRS and with a Detachment at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force...
in an attempt to rescue an Army team trapped by enemy fire in Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. When his aircraft was shot down, he escaped the burning wreckage and, despite severe wounds, evaded capture for 17 hours until being rescued.
Italy
Italian AgustaAgusta
Agusta is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It is based in Samarate, Northern Italy. It is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907...
began production in 1974 and delivered 22 helicopters as replacements for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross
HU-16 Albatross
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat that was utilized by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, primarily as a search and rescue and combat search and rescue aircraft...
used for SAR (Search and Rescue) missions at sea. Italian Air Force AS-61R helicopters perform SAR missions in time of peace and C/SAR (Combat SAR) in time of crisis or during military assignment. All helicopters are operated by the 5 flights of the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna and deployed in 4 bases across Italy.
From 1993 15° Stormo carry support missions to the civilians during natural catastrophes and disasters in Italy. 83º Centro C/SAR is engaged with SAR missions in the hostile zones of the several operations abroad where Italian Armed Forces are deployed - Somalia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Variants
S-61R- Military transport helicopter, Sikorsky model number.
HR3S-1
- Proposed transport helicopter for U.S. Marine Corps, cancelled
S-61R-10
- Prototype operated by Sikorsky and first flown 17 June 1963.
S-61R-12
- One aircraft for the Argentine Air Force to HH-3F standards.
CH-3C
- Long-range military transport helicopter for the US Air Force, 75 built.
CH-3E
- Long-range military transport helicopter for the US Air Force, 45 Built.
HH-3E Jolly Green Giant
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter for the US Air Force, 10 built and converted from CH-3E.
MH-3E
- Special Operations version for the US Air Force.
VH-3E
- US Air Force VIP transport helicopter.
HH-3F "Pelican"
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter for the US Coast Guard, 40 built.
AS-61R (HH-3F Pelican)
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter built since 1974 under license in Italy by Agusta, 22 built.
Operators
Military operators
- Argentine Air ForceArgentine Air ForceThe Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
used one S-61R-12 delivered new in 1975 for antarcticAntarcticThe Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
operations it later became Presidential helicopterAgrupación Aérea PresidencialAgrupación Aérea Presidencial is the Head of State Air Transport Unit of Argentina.- Background :The Presidential Air Group is a small fleet of Argentine Air Force aircraft and helicopters for official use by the President, immediate family and senior government officials...
. - Argentine Naval AviationArgentine Naval AviationThe Argentine Naval Aviation is the naval aviation branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands...
- Italian Air ForceAeronautica MilitareThe Italian Air Force is the air force of the Italian Republic. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history...
received 37 Agusta built AS61 helicopters. All are operated by the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna. Helicopters of the 15° Stormo were deployed in 5 flights in different parts of the Italian peninsulaItalian PeninsulaThe Italian Peninsula or Apennine Peninsula is one of the three large peninsulas of Southern Europe , spanning from the Po Valley in the north to the central Mediterranean Sea in the south. The peninsula's shape gives it the nickname Lo Stivale...
.- 81° C.A.E. (Centro Addestramento Equipaggi = crew training center), Cervia ABCervia Air Force BaseCervia Air Force Base is an air base of the Italian Air Force . It is located in northern Italy, approximately southwest of Cervia, in the province of Ravenna ....
- 82° Centro C/SAR, TrapaniVincenzo Florio Airport-Transport:By bus from Palermo: a coach service is offered by Terravision between Trapani Birgi Airport and Palermo city centre.By bus from Trapani: The Terravision bus also stops in the centre of Trapani.-Statistics:...
- 83º Gruppo C/SAR, Cervia ABCervia Air Force BaseCervia Air Force Base is an air base of the Italian Air Force . It is located in northern Italy, approximately southwest of Cervia, in the province of Ravenna ....
- 84° Centro C/SAR, BrindisiBrindisi AirportPapola Casale Airport , also known as Aeroporto del Salento, is an airport near Brindisi in southern Italy.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:**...
- 85° Centro C/SAR, Pratica di Mare ABPratica di Mare Air Force BasePratica di Mare Air Force Base is an Italian Air Force installation southwest of Rome, Italy. It was built in 1937, and in 1957 it was named after Colonnello Mario de Bernardi. It is the biggest Italian Air force base...
- 81° C.A.E. (Centro Addestramento Equipaggi = crew training center), Cervia AB
- Tunisian Air ForceTunisian Air ForceThe Tunisian Air Force is one of the branches of the Tunisian Armed Forces.-Air Force:The Tunisian Air Force was established in 1959, three years after Tunisia regained its independence from France. It took deliveries of its first aircraft, eight Saab 91 Safirs, in 1960, later to be complemented...
a number of former USAF HH-3Es were delivered in 1994.
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Civil operators
- Carson HelicoptersCarson Helicopters-External links:*...
- Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.
- San Bernardino CountySan Bernardino County, CaliforniaSan Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
Sheriff's Department (CH-3C)
Argentina
On display- S-61R-12 H-02 the former presidential helicopter at the Museo de la Aviación de Morón ( picture ).
United States
On display- CH-3E serial numberUnited States military aircraft serialsIn the United States, all military aircraft display a serial number to identify individual aircraft. Because these numbers are located on the aircraft tail, they are sometimes referred to unofficially as "tail numbers"...
63-9676 at the National Museum of the United States Air ForceNational Museum of the United States Air ForceThe National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display...
, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio - CH-3E 65-5960 at the Aerospace Museum of CaliforniaAerospace Museum of CaliforniaThe Aerospace Museum of California is an aviation museum located in North Highlands, California on the former McClellan Air Force Base, which closed in 2001. It features displays of authentic military and civilian aircraft as well as space vehicle replicas...
, McCllean Airport (former McClellan AFB), Sacramento, California - HH-3E 65-12797 at the Carolinas Aviation MuseumCarolinas Aviation MuseumThe Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the...
, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina - HH-3F USCG 1486 at the National Museum of Naval AviationNational Museum of Naval AviationThe National Museum of Naval Aviation is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The museum opened in 1962....
, NAS Pensacola, Florida
Stored or under restoration
- HH-3E 66-13290, in which Leland T. KennedyLeland T. KennedyLeland Thornton "Lee" Kennedy was a career military officer in the United States Air Force, and a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War...
won his first of two Air Force CrossesAir Force Cross (United States)The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
, is stored by the National Air and Space MuseumNational Air and Space MuseumThe National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
.