S-61R/CH-3C/E HH-3E Jolly Green Giant 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-61s 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.[2] 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. 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. SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-61R P/S: Video: HH3F Helicopter Water Landing at Jesolo Air Extreme 2011 Air Show Italy
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 04:29:09 +0000
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