Search and rescue variant for the US Navy converted from SH-3A. Modifications included armor, 7.62 mm miniguns, DECK-EDGE refueling capability, external fuel tanks and all ASW equipment removed. They were extensively used during the Vietnam War to rescue downed aircrews. Used by US Navy squadrons HC-7 and HC-9.
The US Air force used their own variant, the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, based on the S-61R.
The US Air force used their own variant, the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, based on the S-61R.
List of Operators of Sikorsky HH-3A Big Mother | |
| From | Organisation with model HH-3A Big Mother | |||||
| 1961 |
| |||||
Construction Numbers | Help Us | |
| C/N | Year | History | |
| 61-014 |  148036 :  hss-2 USN, redesig SH-3A Oct62; conv HH-3A, to HC-7  16jan70 Jan70 It is believed was received by HC-7 Atsugi Japan + 1975 to HC-9 until Jul90 when HC-9 was disestablished a+ sh-3h 1989 SH-3H type HS-1 /AR-421 | ||
 | 61-091 | 149682 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; 14oct83 pictured with HC-9 Protectors;+ | |
| 61-165 | 149896 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; 03may73 Stricken from US Navy list | ||
| 61-172 | 149903 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; to civ my log book shows I flew this aircraft. I was a CSAR i+ N51953 : Siller Helicopters; ex 149903 | ||
61-182  | 149912 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; to SH-3G type sh-3g conv SH-3G; HC-1 w/o 14oct76 | ||
| 61-184 | 1963 | 149914 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A sh-3g conv to SH-3G N5193Y : Silver Bay Logging Inc at Juneau, AK Aircraft Guarantee Holdings & Trust Trustee at Houston,+ Oct12 at Miri, Malaysia undergoing maintanence at Seletar, Singapore | |
| 61-186 | 1963 | 149916 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A CSAR variant N3173U : s-61t Carson from Nov10;
pictured (pic1) after conversion to + N3173U : Siller from May11 N3173U : 18aug14 op by Siller pictured (pic2) with County of Los+ N3173U : still Siller Helicopters Inc at Yuba City, CA |
| 61-195 | 149922 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; HC-9; 1990 AMARC/9H0018 | ||
| 61-210 | 149933 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; to civ : Croman; ex 149933 : 13sep15 at White City, Oregon disassembled in yard | ||
| 61-235 | 151531 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; w/o 26dec72; 1985 North Island trainin+ Hit mountain. 5 onboard and all survived w/1 minor inju+ | ||
| 61-272 | 1964 | 151552 : hss-2 USN redesig SH-3A 1962, d/d 1964; 1967 pictured (pic1+ conv HH-3A type Combat Search and Rescue; asg HC-7 in V+ 1976/77 pictured (pic2) as HC-9 /NW-73 at Camp Pendleto+ N81661 : Carson Helicopters from Apr96; conv S-61A type with a m+ N561SC : Sky Cats Puma Corp at Billings, MT from Jul07; firefigh+ N624CK : Croman Corp at White City, OR from Mar16 purchased from Billings Flying Service by Croman someti+ |
| 61-273 | 151553 : hss-2 USN; conv HH-3A; HC-9; 22may90 AMARC/9H0017 | ||
| 61-292 | 151556 : hss-2 Sikorsky HSS-2 c/n 61-292, ff:?; del USN as SH-3A 15155+ |