This twin turbine, medium range, amphibious, all weather helicopter extended the Coast Guard offshore search and rescue capabilities. The HH-3F had a maximum speed of 142 knots with a normal cruise speed of 120 knots. Range: 650 NM. Maxi-mum Weight: 22,500 pounds. Design Gross Weight: 19,500 pounds. The Coast Guard purchased 40 H-3F's. The last one was delivered in 1973. The cost of the airframe not including the engines, avionics and government furnished equipment was approximately $900,000
The HH3F was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, Division of United Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Connecticu. The HH3F is equipped with a single main rotor, twin engines rated at 1500 SHP each, a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, amphibious capabilities, and hydraulically operated aft ramp that may be opened in flight, on the ground, or on water, The HH3F may be used as a general purpose vehicle to locate, recover and render assistance to persons in distress. In addition it may be used for logistic support, reconnaissance, and general utility. The maximum span with the main rotor blades rotating is 62 feet. The maximum length of the helicopter with the rotor blades extended is 73 feet. The height over the highest point of the helicopter (tail rotor) is 18 feet 1 inch. The HH3F‘s maximum gross weight is 22,050 pounds. Normal crew includes pilot and co-pilot seated side-by-side in the cockpit with the pilot on the right side. To the rear of the cockpit is the cabin. Access between the cockpit and the cabin may be used in flight. A folding jump seat is provided in the cockpit entry. A sliding cargo door is located on the right side of the forward end of the cabin. An eight-foot ramp is located at the rear of the cabin. The cabin accommodates two crew-men and six passengers. Two large windows located in the forward cabin are used as search stations. Two electronics racks are located in the cabin, one immediately aft of the copilot and one in the aft portion of the cabin. A folding type navigator’s table is mounted on the electronics rack aft of the copilot and forward of the left crewman’s seat. Structural provisions are mad for 14 additional passenger seats and 15 USAF pole type litters the cabin is 6’6” wide, 6’ height, and 26’2 ½ “long. Eight feet of the length is ramp area. The cabin is equipped with tie-down rings for transportation of cargo. A 600-pound capacity hydraulic rescue hoist with approximately 240 feet of useable cable is suspended on a fixed truss over the cargo door. Two gas turbine engines are mounted side by side in the engine compartment which is located above the forward portion of the cabin. The engine drive shafts extend aft into the main gear box which is located in the transmission compartment. The main rotor assembly, to which the five rotor blades are attached, is splined to the main gear box drive shaft. The APU located aft of the main gear box is capable of driving the main gear box accessory section. The APU is used for engine starting and checkout of systems. A removable deflector is installed to reduce the possibility of foreign object damage to the engines
US Coast Guard 