Sikorsky S-61
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Categories: Military helicopters | United States military utility aircraft 1950-1959 | United States Coast Guard Aviation
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This article is about the civil versions of the Sikorsky S-61 models. For the military versions, see SH-3 Sea King.
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A Canadian Helicopters Sikorsky S-61L at CFB Cold Lake in 1992
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A Bristow Helicopters S-61N operating for HM Coastguard
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A Carson Helicopters Fire King drops on the 2007 WSA Lightning Complex fire.
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A Carson Helicopters Fire King drops on the 2007 WSA Lightning Complex fire.
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An S-61 helitanker uses a snorkel to refill its internal water tanks
The Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built.[1]
Design and developmentIn September 1957, Sikorsky won a US Navy development contract for an amphibious anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter capable of detecting and attacking submarines.[1] The XHSS-2 Sea King prototype flew on March 11 1959. Production deliveries of the HSS-2 (later designated SH-3A) began in September 1961, with the initial production aircraft being powered by by two 930kW (1250shp) General Electric T58-GE-8B turboshafts. Sikorsky was quick to develop a commercial model of the Sea King.[1] The S-61L first flew on November 2 1961, and was 4ft 3in (1.27m) longer than the HSS-2 in order to carry a substantial payload of freight or passengers. Initial production S-61Ls were powered by two 1350shp (1005kW) GE CT58-140 turboshafts, the civil version of the T58. The S-61L features a modified landing gear without float stabilisers. Los Angeles Airways was the first civil operator of the S-61[2] introducing them on March 1, 1962 for a purchased price of $650,000 each. [3] On August 7 1962, the S-61N made its first flight.[1] Otherwise identical to the S-61L, this version is optimized for overwater operations, particularly oil rig support, by retaining the SH-3's floats. Both the S-61L and S-61N were subsequently updated to Mk II standard with improvements including more powerful CT58-110 engines giving better hot and high performance, vibration damping and other detail refinements. The Payloader, a stripped down version optimised for aerial crane work, was the third civil model of the S-61.[1] The Payloader features the fixed undercarriage of the S-61L, but with an empty weight almost 2000lb (900kg) less than the standard S-61N. A unique version is the S-61 Shortsky conversion of S-61Ls and Ns by Helipro International.[1] The fuselage is shortened by 50in (1.6m) to increase single engine performance and external payload. The Shortsky conversion first flew in February 1996. Variants
Operators
Former operators are marked by italics Specifications (S-61N Mk II)Data from International Directiory of Civil Aircraft[1] General characteristics
Performance
AccidentsImage:6308-340DisneyLandChopper-R.jpg
N300Y, the S-61L prototype, departing from Disneyland Heliport flight five years prior to accident flight
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