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By
Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-62
The Sikorsky S-62 was a single turbine engine, single rotor amphibious helicopter originally developed as a commercial venture by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut. It was used by the United States Coast Guard as the HH-52A Seaguard primarily for search and rescue, and now has been replaced by non-amphibious types such as the HH-65 Dolphin which rely on using a winch to retrieve passengers from a hover.
Design and development
A number of S-62s were bought by the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics for the US Coast Guard for use as a search and rescue helicopter. Intitially designated HU2S-1G Seaguard, it was re-designated as the HH-52A Seaguard in 1962.
The HH-52A used a boat hulled shaped fuselage, smaller but similar to the US Navy's SH-3 (Sikorsky S-61), and was employed aboard the larger Coast Guard cutters and icebreakers. The S-62 used a single 1,250 hp (930 kW) General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft engine, the same powerplant used on the larger twin-engined SH-3.
The turbine powered S-62 could carry more weight and fly faster than the H-19 (S-55). The aircraft was first conceived and designed to be amphibious so that flotation gear would not be required for over water flights, and rescues could be made by landing on the water. The fuselage is watertight for landings on water or snow. Two outrigger floats resist pitching and rolling on the water. Although the HH-52A looks very different from the Sikorsky H-19, it used many of the same components.
Variants
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A Coast Guard Grumman HU-16E Albatross and a Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard in March, 1964, probably at CG Air Station Mobile |
- S-62
- Prototype. First flew on the 22nd of may 1958.
- S-62A
- Amphibious transport helicopter, powered by a General Electric CT58-110-1 turboshaft engine, with accommodation for up to 11 passengers. The S-62A was the first production version.
- S-62B
- One S-62 was fitted with the main rotor system of the S-58.
- S-62C
- Company designation of the HH-52A Seaguard.
- HU2S-1G
- Original designation of the HH-52A Seaguard. Redesignated HH-52A in 1962.
- HH-52A Seaguard
- Search and rescue helicopter for the United States Coast Guard. 99 built including one transferred to Iceland.
Operators
Military operators
 Iceland India Japan Philippines Thailand United States
Survivors
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HH-52A Seaguard 'USCG1355' at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola FL |
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Cockpit of HH-52A Seaguard 'USCG1355' at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola FL |
- USCG1355
- On display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida
- USCG1357
- Dillingham Airport HI
- USCG1378
- At the USS Alabama Museum in Mobile AL
- USCG1383
- American Helicopter Museum & Education Center - Westchester, PA
- USCG1384
- Gate guard at USCG Air Station Elizabeth City, NC
- USCG1389
- Delgado Community College, New Orleans LA
- USCG1394
- Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading PA
- USCG1398
- In a mechanics school in Pocahantas AR
- USCG1415
- Museum of Flight (Seattle) Restoration Facility - Everett, WA
- USCG1423
- Cockpit section only at National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida
- USCG1428
- On display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT
- USCG1429
- U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum - New York City
- USCG1450
- On display at the Pima Air & Space Museum
Specifications (HH-52A)General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 44 ft 7 in (13.57 m)
- Rotor diameter: 53 ft (16.16 m)
- Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.33 m)
- Empty weight: 4,956 lb (2,248 kg)
- Useful load: 3,047 lb (1,382 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,300 lb (3,764.816 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft, 1250 shp derated to 730 shp (500 kW)
Performance
See also
Related development
Related lists
External links
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Published in July 2009.
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