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Sikorsky Helicopters - Part III
Back to Part II
Mar 25, 1959 : S-60
This machine, dubbed the Skycrane , with its thin, strong fuselage
could carry any load it could lift.
The S-60 grew from the S-56, using the same piston engines and dynamic components.
It was built as a research vehicle to demonstrate the flying crane concept.
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Dec 6, 1960 : S-61 L/N : S-61 civilian versions
(Large & Naval)
May 9, 1962 : S-64 Skycrane ( CH-54 Tarhe )
Sikorsky 's second Skycrane was delivered first to the
West German Minister of Defense in early 1963.
The US Army bought 97 with deliveries between June, 1964 and 1972,
and in Vietnam was used to retrieve 380 downed aircraft.
The last one was retired in 1993 by the 113th Aviation of the Army National
Guard based in Reno, Nevada in a time where was already replaced by the less
powerful but more flexible
CH-47 Chinook
S-64 Production List
Length: 26.98 m
Height: 7.75 m
Rotor diameter: 21.95 m
Weight: Empty: 8724 - Max: 20000 kg
External load: 9400 kg
Engine: 2 P&W T73-P-1 of 4500 shp each
Speed: Max: 203 km/h Cruise: 169 km/h
Range: 370 km
Service Ceiling: 2475 m
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Jun 7, 1963 : S-61 R ( HH-3 )
The S-61 Air force's version
Oct 14, 1964 :
S-65 Sea Stallion ( H-53A/D )
Read about RH-53D Sea Stallion in
Operation Eagle Claw
The failed rescue of American hostages, Iran, 1980
1965 : S-61F
An experimental version of the S-61 to test high speeds, it reach 390 km/h
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1965: Refueling helicopters
from tanker planes was also first attempted this year.
After early success, the technique was refined, leading
to the decision to produce all later USAF HH-3Es with refueling probes
1966 : S-66
A development of the S-61F, the S-66 was Sikorsky 's motion for the US Army 's
AAFSS competition ( Advanced Aerial Fire Support System )
Not built, lost again the
AH-56 Cheyenne
May 31 / June 1, 1967 :
Two USAF HH-3E ( Sikorsky S-61R ) made the
first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight by helicopters
en route to the Paris Air Show.
Nine aerial refueling were made by each aircraft from C-130 Hercules tankers
at altitudes of between 300 and 2800 m and speeds of 200 km/h.
The 6870 km from New York to Paris were flown in 30 hs 46 min
1969 : S-64E :
Commercial version of the Skycrane Tarhe
Continue - Part IV
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