SIKORSKY H-3 SEA KING

SEA KING SERVICE

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Division, United Aircraft Corp., Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
(In 1975, became Sikorsky Aircraft Division, United Technologies Corp.,
Stratford, Connecticut, USA)
Model: S-61
Designations: H-3 (CH-3, SH-3); HR3S, HSS, CH-124 (CAF)
Names: Sea King; Jolly Green Giant (HH-3E), Pelican (HH-3F),
Commando (Westland non-amphibious version)
First official flight: (YHSS-2) 11/03/1959
Factory production period: 1958 - 1980
1967 - 1997 (Foreign built)
Primary service period: 1961 - 1995
Last official flight: (SH-3H) 27/01/2006 (US Navy)
(VH-3D) Still in service

SEA KING VARIANTS

1959 Model S-61B XHSS-2 (SH-3A) 10  
? Model S-61B HSS-2 (SH-3A) 245  
? Model S-61B CHSS-2 41  
? Model S-61B HSS-2Z (VH-3A) 8 Total: 0304
         
1962 Model S-61A CH-3B 3  
1965 Model S-61A S-61A Series 51 Total: 0054
         
1966 Model S-61D YSH-3D 1  
1966 Model S-61D SH-3D 96  
1975 Model S-61D VH-3D 11  
1966 Model S-61D S-61D Series 15 Total: 0123
         
1963 Model S-61R CH-3C 74  
1966 Model S-61R CH-3E 45  
? Model S-61R HH-3E 14  
1968 Model S-61R HH-3F 40 Total: 0173
         
1960 Model S-61L S-61L 13  
1962 Model S-61N S-61N 123 Total: 0136

Grand Total: 0790

1969 Foreign built - England:
Model WS-61 		Sea King Series 245  
1973 Model WS-61 Commando Series 83 Total: 0328
1967 Foreign built - Italy:
Model AS-61 		AS-61 Series 130 Total: 0130
? Foreign built - Japan:
Model S-61A 		S-61A / A-1 18  
? Model S-61B SH-3A 55  
? Model S-61B SH-3D 28  
? Model S-61B SH-3H 23 Total: 0124

Grand Total: 0582

GRAND TOTAL: 1372

SEA KING PRODUCTION

Military Helicopters

XHSS-2
Prototype twin-engined, 5-bladed rotor,
ASW / SAR amphibious helicopter for
US Navy. 2 (BuNo. 147141, 147145),
later upgraded to HSS-2Z.
Redesignated as YHSS-2 during tests.
Redesignated as SH-3A in 1962.
Produced 1958 - 1959
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (S)

BuNo.147137 / 147146 61-001 / 61-010 10 Total: 0010

HSS-2
As YHSS-2, engine upgrade,
various improvements for US Navy.
2 later upgraded to SH-3D.
Redesignated as SH-3A in 1962.
Produced 1960 - 1966
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (S)

BuNo.148033 / 148052 61-011 / 61-030    
BuNo.148964 / 149012 ?    
BuNo.149679 / 149738 ?    
BuNo.149893 / 149934 ?    
BuNo.150618 / 150620 ?    
BuNo.151522 / 151557 ?    
BuNo.152104 / 152138 ? 245 Total: 0245
3 additional airframes cancelled.

CHSS-2
As HSS-2, version for RCN.
Redesignated as CH-124 in 1968
with new CAF s/n: 12401 / 12441.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (S)

(RCN) 4001 / 4004 mixed 61-179 to 61-219 4  

Foreign assembled - Canada:
United Aircraft of Canada Ltd.,
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada

(RCN) 4005 / 4041 mixed 61-202 to 61-384 37 Total: 0041

HSS-2Z
As HSS-2, USMC / US Army VIP helicopters.
2 SH-3A also upgraded to this standard.
1 (BuNo. 150614), later upgraded to VH-3D
standard. Redesignated as VH-3A in 1962.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (S)

BuNo.150610 / 150617 ? 8 Total: 0008

CH-3B
As HSS-2, general purpose version
for USAF, engine upgrade.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

62-12574 / 62-12576 ? 3 Total: 0003

S-61A Series
As CH-3B, military export version,
4 fuselage cabin windows.
Produced 1965 - 1971
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut

S-61A-1
1965, export version for Denmark.

(Denmark) U-240 61-240    
(Denmark) U-275 / U-281 61-275 / 61-281 8  

S-61A-4 Nuri
1967, export version for Malaysia.

(Malaysia) FM1140 / FM1155 ?    
(Malaysia) FM1717 / FM1742 ? 42  

S-61A-5
Export version for Denmark.

(Denmark) U-481 61-481 1 Total: 0051


S-61A-4 s/n: M23-33, was 1 of 42 such helicopters ordered
for the RMAF from 1967. These were later complimented by 2
Augusta built AS-61N-1 helicopters for VIP duties. The Malaysian
S-61's are named "Nuri", a Malay word meaning "Parrot".
Sungai Besi AFB, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2000.

(Model S-61R) HR3S-1 - Proposed development for USMC, cancelled.
                                            Design later led to the CH-3C.

YSH-3D
As SH-3A, prototype with engine /
avionics upgrade for US Navy.
Produced 1966
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

BuNo.152139 61-335 1 Total: 0001

SH-3D
As YSH-3D, production version for US Navy.
2 SH-3A also upgraded to this standard.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

BuNo.152690 / 152713 ?    
BuNo.153532 / 153537
- 6 to Spain as HS.9, HS.9A-1 / -6. 		?    
BuNo.154100 / 154123 ?    
BuNo.156483 / 156506 61-429 / 61-452    
BuNo.158724, 158725
- 2 to Spain as HS.9, HS.9A-7, -8. 		?    
BuNo.158874, 158875
- 2 to Spain as HS.9. 		?    
BuNo.159026 / 159029 ?    
BuNo.159053 / 159056
- 4 to Spain as HS.9, HS.9A-9 / -12. 		61-707 / 61-710    
BuNo.161207 / 161212
- 6 to Spain as HS.9, HS.9A-13 / -18. 		? 96 Total: 0096

VH-3D
As SH-3D, USMC VIP helicopters.
1 VH-3A also upgraded to this
standard as NVH-3A.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

BuNo.159350 / 159360 ? 11 Total: 0011

S-61D Series
As SH-3D, military export version.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut

S-61D-2
1967, export version for UK.
Last 3 as HAS.Mk. 1 with British
engines / avionics.

(RN) XV370 / XV373 61-393 / 61-396 4  

S-61D-3
Export version for Brazil.

(Brazil) N-3007 / N-3012 mixed 61-477 to 61-500 6  

S-61D-4
1972, export version for Argentina.

(Argentina) 0675 / 0678 61-495 / 61-498    
(Argentina) 0696 61-779 5 Total: 0015

CH-3C
As SH-3A, long-range transport,
redesigned non-amphibious fuselage,
rear loading ramp for USAF.
Most later upgraded to CH-3E
and 26 to HH-3E.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

62-12577 / 62-12582 61-502 / 61-507    
63-9676 / 63-9691 61-508 / 61-523    
64-14221 / 64-14237 61-524 / 61-540    
65-5690 / 65-5700 61-541 / 61-551    
65-12777 / 65-12800 61-552 / 61-575 74 Total: 0074

CH-3E
As CH-3C, engine upgrade for USAF.
37 later upgraded to HH-3E.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

66-13291 / 66-13296 61-589 / 61-594    
67-14702 / 67-14725 61-604 / 61-627    
69-5798 / 69-5812 61-641 / 61-655 45 Total: 0045

HH-3E Jolly Green Giant
As CH-3E, armed SAR version, crew
armour, refuelling probe for USAF.
26 CH-3C and 37 CH-3E also upgraded
to this standard.
Produced
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

66-13278 / 66-13290 61-576 / 61-588    
68-8282 61-628 14 Total: 0014

HH-3F Pelican
As HH-3E, USCG version with
amphibious waterproof fuselage,
nose radome.
Produced 1968 - 1973
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut (SI)

(USCG) 1430 / 1438 61-595 / 61-603    
(USCG) 1467 / 1478 61-629 / 61-640    
(USCG) 1479 / 1497 61-656 / 61-674 40 Total: 0040

Civil Helicopters

S-61L
As SH-3A, non-amphibious civil version.
Designated Mk. II with engine upgrade.
2 assembled in Japan.
Produced 1960 - 1962
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut

civil reg. ? 13 Total: 0013

S-61N
As S-61L, amphibious civil version.
Designated Mk. II with engine upgrade.
Argentine Navy version designated as S-61NR.
Produced 1962 - 1980
Sikorsky Stratford, Connecticut

civil reg. ? 123 Total: 0123

 

Grand Total: 0790

Foreign built - England:
Sea King / Commando Series
Licence built military version of the
SH-3D, British engines / avionics.
Sea King is the amphibious version.
Commando is the non-amphibious version
with fixed undercarriage.
Produced 1968 - 1997
Westland Helicopters Ltd., Yeovil,
Somerset, England

Sea King HAS.Mk. 1
1969, Royal Navy ASW version.

(RN) XV642 / XV677 WA630 / WA665    
(RN) XV695 / XV714 WA666 / WA685 56  

Sea King HAS.Mk. 2
1976, RN ASW version, engine upgrade.

(RN) XZ570 / XZ582 WA838 / WA850    
(RN) XZ915 / XZ922 WA875 / WA882 21  

Sea King HAR.Mk. 3
1977, RAF SAR version.

(RAF) XZ585 / XZ599 WA851 / WA865    
(RAF) ZA105 WA886    
(RAF) ZE368 / ZE370 WA947 / WA949 19  

Sea King HAR.Mk. 3A
RAF SAR version, avionics upgrade.

(RAF) ZH540 / ZH545 WA1006 / WA1011 6  

Commando HC.Mk. 4
 1979, Royal Marines transport.
Also known as the Sea King HC.Mk. 4.

(RM) ZA290 / ZA299  WA904 / WA913    
(RM) ZA310 / ZA314 WA914 / WA918    
(RM) ZD476 / ZD480 WA931 / WA935    
(RM) ZD625 / ZD627 WA936 / WA938    
(RM) ZE425 / ZE428 WA952 / WA955    
(RM) ZF115 / ZF124 mixed WA960 to WA974    
(RM) ZG820 / ZG822 WA1001 / WA1003 40  

Commando Mk. 4X
1982, R&D test helicopters, dorsal radome.

ZB506, ZB507 WA927, WA928    
ZG829 WA996 3  

Sea King HAS.Mk. 5
1980, Royal Navy ASW version, dorsal radome.

(RN) ZA126 / ZA137  WA887 / WA898    
(RN) ZA166 / ZA170 WA899 / WA903    
(RN) ZD630 / ZD637 WA939 / WA946    
(RN) ZE418 / ZE422 mixed WA956 to WA961 30  

Sea King HAS.Mk. 6
1989, Royal Navy ASW version, avionics upgrade.
69 also upgraded from previous marks.

(RN) ZG816 / ZG819  WA997 / WA1000    
(RN) ZG875 WA1004 5  

Sea King Mk. 41
1973, HAS.Mk. 1 SAR version for West Germany.

(W. Germany) 89+50, 89+51 WA744, WA745    
(W. Germany) 89+52 / 89+71 WA756 / WA775    
(W. Germany) 89+61
- Replacement aircraft, first crashed pre-delivery.		 WA830 23  

Sea King Mk. 42
1970, HAS.Mk. 1 version for India.

(India) IN501 / IN506 WA733 / WA738    
(India) IN507 / IN512 WA776 / WA781 12  

Sea King Mk. 42A
1980, Mk. 42 version for India, engine upgrade.

(India) IN551, IN552 WA883, WA885    
(India) IN553 WA884 3  

Sea King Mk. 42B
1985, Mk. 42A version for India, hot-climate mods.

ZF526, ZF527
- ZF527 (IN514) crashed before delivery.		 WA950, WA951    
ZG601 / ZG618
- ZG602 replacement for IN514.		 mixed WA972 to WA994    
ZG980 WA995 21  
20 delivered as:
(India) IN513 / IN531, IN533

Sea King Mk. 42C
Mk. 42B transport version for India.

(India) IN555 / IN560 mixed WA965 to WA977 6  

Sea King Mk. 43
1972, HAS.Mk. 1 version for Norway.

(Norway) 060, 062 WA746, WA747    
(Norway) 066, 068 WA748, WA749    
(Norway) 069 / 074 WA750 / WA755 10  

Sea King Mk. 43A
1978, Mk. 43 version for Norway, engine upgrade.

(Norway) 189 WA874 1  

Sea King Mk. 43B
Mk. 43 version for Norway.

ZH566
(Norway) 322		 WA1005    
ZJ162, ZJ163
(Norway) 329, 330		 WA1012, WA1013 3  

Sea King Mk. 45
1974, HAS.Mk. 1 version for Pakistan. RAF s/n: ZE421
later delivered as Mk. 45A, 4516 (ZG935).

(Pakistan) 4510 / 4515 WA797 / WA802 6  

Sea King Mk. 47
1975, Mk. 42 version for Egypt.

(Egypt) 771 / 776 mixed WA822 to WA827 6  

Sea King Mk. 48
1975, Mk. 41 version for Belgium.

(Belgium) RS01 / RS05 WA831 / WA835 5  

Sea King Mk. 50
1974, Mk. 47 version for Australia.

(Australia) mixed N16-098 to N16-125 WA787 / WA796 10  

Sea King Mk. 50A
1983, Mk. 50 version for Australia, minor improvements.

(Australia) N16-238, N16-239 WA929, WA930 2  

Commando Mk. 1
1973, HAS. Mk. 1 transport version for Egypt.

(Egypt) 261 WA786    
(Egypt) 262 / 265 WA782 / WA785 5  

Commando Mk. 2
1975, Mk. 1 larger transport version for Egypt.

(Egypt) 721 / 724 mixed WA803 to WA808    
(Egypt) 727 / 739 WA809 / WA821 17  

Commando Mk. 2A
1975, Mk. 2 transport version for Qatar.

(Qatar) QA20, QA21 WA828, WA837    
(Qatar) QA22 WA836 3  

Commando Mk. 2B
1975, Mk. 2 VIP version for Egypt.

(Egypt) 725, 726
- 725 was RAF s/n: XZ741.		 WA805, WA807 2  

Commando Mk. 2C
1975, Mk. 2 VIP version for Qatar.

(Qatar) ? WA829 1  

Commando Mk. 2E
1978, Mk. 2 ECM version for Egypt.

(Egypt) 740 / 742 WA869, WA867, WA868    
(Egypt) 744 WA866 4  

Commando Mk. 3
1982, Mk. 42B armed, multi-role version for Qatar.

(Qatar) QA30 / QA37 WA919 / WA926 8 Total: 0328

Foreign built - Italy:
Model AS-61 Series
Italian licence built military / civil versions.
Produced
(Augusta-Sikorsky)
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Giovanni Augusta SpA,
Gallarate, Italy

Model AS-61D (ASH-3D)
1967, ASW version.

57 to Italy.
15 to Iran.		 ? 72  

Model AS-61D (ASH-3D/TS)
VIP version, also designated as
AS-61A-4 and AS-61VIP.

2 to Iran.
6 to Iraq.
1 to Libya.
3 to Saudi Arabia.		 ? 12  

Model AS-61D (AS-61D-3 / D-4)
Military export version.
Brazil version as AS-61D-3.

(Argentina) 0794, 0795 6051, 6052    
(Argentina) 0796, 0797 6061, 6062 4  
(Brazil) N-3013 / N-3016 ? 4  
4 to Peru.
4 to Venezuela.		 ? 8  

Model AS-61R (HH-3F)
SAR version.

20 to Italy. ? 20  

Model AS-61R (ASH-3H)
Multi-mission SAR / ASW version.

6 to Peru. ? 6  

Model AS-61N (AS-61N-1) Silver
1984, military / civil export version,
also designated as AS-61NS.

2 to Indonesia. ? 2  
(Malaysia) M39-01, M39-02. ?, 6402 2 Total: 0130

Foreign built - Japan:
 S-61A / SH-3A / SH-3D / SH-3H
Japanese licence built military / civil versions.
Produced
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.,
Nagoya, Japan

S-61A / A-1 ? 18  
HSS-2 (SH-3A) ? 55  
HSS-2A (SH-3D) ? 28  
HSS-2B (SH-3H) ? 23 Total: 0124

 

Grand Total: 0582

SEA KING CONVERSIONS

US Navy

YSH-3A 1 XHSS-2(148038), retained for development tests.
HH-3A 12 SH-3A, armed, Vietnam SAR conversions, engine upgrade.
NH-3A 1 Model S-61F
SH-3A(148033), 1965, prototype with modified fuselage, twin jet-pak,
stub wings and 6-bladed rotor. Tested by US Navy and US Army.
RH-3A 9 SH-3A, 1965, Vietnam mine counter-measures (MCM) conversions.
UH-3A 2 SH-3A, utility conversions.
NVH-3D 1 VH-3D, permanent conversion for tests.
SH-3G 105 SH-3A / SH-3D, 1970, utility conversions, extra fuel, no ASW equipment.
SH-3H 163 SH-3A / SH-3D / SH-3G, 1971, major ASW avionics upgrade.
(USH-3H) 38 29 SH-3A / 9 SH-3D, 1992-present, utility conversions to SH-3H standard.
(YSH-3J) 2 SH-3H, prototypes with ASW equipment for the SH-60B.

USAF

CH-3A 3 Model S-61A
SH-3A, 1962, re-supply helicopters to remote radar outposts.
Assigned s/n: 62-12571 / 62-12753. Later redesignated as CH-3B.
GCH-3C 1 CH-3C, ground instructional conversion.
JCH-3C 1 CH-3C, temporary conversion for tests for the CH-3E.
HH-3C 12 CH-3C, rescue / recovery conversions.
JCH-3E 10 CH-3C, temporary conversions for tests with the US Army.
LCH-3E 2 CH-3C, conversions for cold weather duties.
QCH-3E - CH-3E, 1991, proposed drone conversions, cancelled.
GHH-3E 5 CH-3E, ground instructional conversions.
JHH-3E 9 4 CH-3C / 5 CH-3E, temporary conversions for tests with the US Army.
MH-3E 1+ CH-3E, Special Forces multi-mission conversions.
VH-3E 1+ CH-3E, VIP conversions.

Foreign Conversions

CH-124A 41 CH-124, avionics / search radar upgrade for CAF.
(CH-124B) 6 CH-124A, avionics upgrade.
(CH-124B-2) 6 CH-124B, avionics upgrade.
(CH-124C) 1 CH-124B-2, test conversion, also designated as CH-124(OT&E).
Sea King HAS.Mk. 2(AEW) 8 HAS.Mk. 2, 1982, radar upgrade for Royal Navy.
8 later upgraded to HAS.Mk. 5 standard.
Sea King AEW.Mk. 2A 10 HAS.Mk. 2, major electronic equipment upgrade for Royal Navy.
10 later upgraded to HAS.Mk. 5 standard.
Sea King HAS.Mk. 2A 48 HAS.Mk. 1, upgrades to HAS.Mk. 2 standard for Royal Navy.
35 later upgraded to HAS.Mk. 5 standard.
Sea King AEW.Mk. 5 3 HAS.Mk. 5, major electronic equipment upgrade for Royal Navy.
Sea King HAR.Mk. 5 4 HAS.Mk. 5, 1987, Royal Navy transfers to the RAF for SAR duties.
Sea King ASaC.Mk. 7 13 HAS.Mk. 5 / 6, 2002-present, AEW avionics upgrades.

FOREIGN MILITARY / CIVILIAN SERVICE
 - H-3 Sea King in military service with Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil,
   Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Malaysia,
   Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia,
   Venezuela and West Germany.
 - Many surplus military Sea Kings sold on the civil market as police, cargo,
   passenger helicopters etc.

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