Sikorsky Helicopters

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.

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

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

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

Sikorsky Helicopters Part III

Continue with Part IV


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. 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 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 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 with Part IV		Helicopters for sale Accidents Acronyms Airshows Future helicopters Flying a helicopter Helicopter stories TV and movies Helicopter books Helicopter patches Helicopter model kits