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| Sikorsky CH-3 Sea King "Marine One" |
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Length: 16 1/2"
Wingspan: 5 1/2"
Scale: 1/54
Includes desk stand.
The HH-3 is a developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, which was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R. The HH-3 served in the United States Air Force as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard as the HH-3F "Pelican". Its civilian designation is Sikorsky S-61R.
The Sikorsky H-3/S-61R was developed as a derivative of their SH-3/S-61 Sea King model. It features a substantially-revised fuselage with a rear loading ramp, a conventional though water-tight hull instead of the S-61's boat-hull, and retractable tricycle landing gear. The fuselage layout was used by Sikorsky for the larger CH-53 variants, and by the much later (though similarly-sized) S-92.
Sikorsky designed and built a S-61R prototype as a private venture with its first flight in 1963. During its development, the US Air Force placed an order for the aircraft, which was designated CH-3C. The Air Force used the CH-3C to recover downed pilots. The CH-3E variant with more powerful engines would follow in 1965.
A USAF HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter flies over Canada.
The improved HH-3E variant would follow later, with eight built, and all CH-3Es converted to this standard. Known as the Jolly Green Giant, the HH-3E featured protective armor, self-sealing tanks, a retractable inflight refueling probe, jettisonable external tanks, a high-speed hoist, and other specialized equipment.
In 1965, U. S. Coast Guard ordered a version designated, HH-3F Sea King (more commonly known by its nickname "Pelican") for all-weather air-sea rescue. The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port, and water landing capability.
Italian Agusta built a S-61R variant, named AS-61R under license. Agusta produced 22 helicopters for the Italian Air Force. The company claims it could re-open the production line in 36 months to build additional AS-61 helicopters.
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