Back Sikorsky S-62 / HH-52
1958

Sikorsky S-62 / HH-52

The Sikorsky S-62 was the first turbine-powered helicopter to be granted a type approval certificate by the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency, and was also the first type to pass the new stringent regulations introduced by the FAA to govern the operation of commercial passenger-carrying helicopters. In meeting these requirements it was undoubtedly aided by the fact that its design, drawn up in 1957-58, was based on using identical main and tail rotors and transmission systems, and other dynamic and mechanical features, of the thoroughly proven piston-engined S-55. The fuselage was entirely new, being designed for fully amphibious operation with a flying-boat hull and main undercarriage wheels semi-retractable within the two outrigged stabilising floats. Power was provided by a single General Electric shaft turbine engine, mounted centrally above the main cabin and accommodation provided for a 2-man flight crew and 10 airline passengers or 12 troops.

Two S-62 prototypes were completed, with 1050shp T58-GE-6 engines derated to 670shp. The maiden flight on 22 May 1958, and subsequent world-wide demonstration flights, were made by N880, while N972 carried out trials for the FAA type certificate which was awarded on 30 June 1960; and a few days later the first production machine, designated S-62A, was delivered to a commercial customer. Later S-62A's have CT58-100 or -110 engines of 1250 (derated to 730) shp. In February 1962, after service trials with a modified S-62A, the U.S. Navy ordered four of these aircraft as HU2S-1G's for the U.S. Coast Guard. Subsequent naval orders for the HH-52A, as this version is now known, had raised the total to eighty-four by mid-1968 and it has been in use since early 1963. The HH-52A has the T58-GE-8 engine, military version of the CT58-110, and automatic stabilisation equipment. Additional features for coastal search and rescue work include a fold-down rescue platform and boat-towing gear. A rescue hoist can be mounted above the starboard cabin door to lift a maximum load of 272kg, or the S-62A can lift a 1361kg slung load by means of an under-fuselage hook.

Two other S-62 variants have also been produced. The S-62B is essentially similar to the A model, but employs the rotor system of the Sikorsky S-58 with the main blades shortened by 0.33m. The S-62C is the equivalent of the HH-52A for commercial and foreign military customers. Apart from the U.S. Coast Guard, which remains the largest user of the type, the biggest single operator of S-62's is Petroleum Helicopters Inc, which has a fleet of six for work in support of offshore oil-drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the forty-six S-62 type helicopters ordered, up to summer 1968, other than those of the USCG, nearly half were for customers in Japan, where Mitsubishi hold the licence.

K.Munson "Helicopters And Other Rotorcraft Since 1907", 1968

Sikorsky S-62

The amphibious Sikorsky S-62 was derived from the piston-engined S-55 and used that helicopter's main and tail rotor system and other components mounted in a new sealed hull. The prototype S-62 flew on 22 May 1958 and was followed by the S-62A production version which, powered by a single General Electric CT58-110-1 turboshaft engine, provided accommodation for up to 11 passengers. One S-62B was built with an S-58 main rotor system. The S-62C was chosen by the US Coast Guard as a replacement for the HH-34 rescue helicopter and initial deliveries, under the designation HH-52A and named Seaguard, were made in January 1963. This version powered by a 932kW CT58-GE-8 engine was replaced by the HH-3 Pelican. The S-62 was also exported to Japan. By mid-1993, no military, and only a very small number of civilian, S-62s remain in use.

D.Donald "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft", 1997

Sikorsky S-62 / HH-52

FACTS AND FIGURES

- HH-52s based at Houston, Texas, frequently practised recovery of the NASA Apollo astronauts.

- First flight of the Sikorsky S-62 took place on 22 May 1958.

- A small number of Seaguards were put on display in museums after retirement.

- Nine examples were built under licence for service with Japanese Maritime Self- Defence Force (JMSDF).

- One US Coast Guard machine was used in the film Airport '77.

- A civilian S-62B model was built, but it was not popular on the civil market.


Photo Gallery 

A Coast Guard HH-52A after a water landing. Note the single-engine configuration compared to the twin-engine configuration of the larger Sea King design (HH-3F Pelican in Coast Guard service).

Sikorsky S-62 / HH-52

Technical data for Sikorsky S-62C

Crew: 2, passengers: 10, engine: 1 x General Electric CT-58-100-1 turboshaft, rated at 990kW, main rotor diameter: 16.15m, length with rotors turning: 18.86m, fuselage length: 13.58m, height: 4.33m, width: 4.8m, take-off weight: 3630kg, empty weight: 2248kg, cruising speed: 163km/h, rate of climb: 5.8m/s, service ceiling: 3570m, range: 743km

Sikorsky S-62 / HH-52

Comments1-20 21-40
Ron Heit, e-mail, 03.08.2022reply

My first rescue as an AD3 52 flight mechanic / hoist operator was on Halloween night 1979.
It was a 1am launch up to east of Lake Occachobee involving hoisting 2 nen off a train and a family of 5 including a 19 year old pregnant female.
An FPL 3 million gallin resevior dike had burst after a major storm had passed over the area.
I found out last February 2021 that it had made the front page of the New York Times.
They mase one mistake claiming we rescued them of a barn when in actuality it was their house roof. I went on to do 3 more rescue missions out of Miami Airstation. Plus two body searh missions over Tampa Bay when CGCC Blackthorn sank and the Skyway bridge collapsed after being hit by a merchant ship.
It was a way better rescue platform than the Plastic Puppy that replaced it.
You could stand up in it and it had way more room to manuver while do hoist operations.

Ron Heit, e-mail, 03.08.2022reply

My first rescue as an AD3 52 flight mechanic / hoist operator was on Halloween night 1979.
It was a 1am launch up to east of Lake Occachobee involving hoisting 2 nen off a train and a family of 5 including a 19 year old pregnant female.
An FPL 3 million gallin resevior dike had burst after a major storm had passed over the area.
I found out last February 2021 that it had made the front page of the New York Times.
They mase one mistake claiming we rescued them of a barn when in actuality it was their house roof. I went on to do 3 more rescue missions out of Miami Airstation. Plus two body searh missions over Tampa Bay when CGCC Blackthorn sank and the Skyway bridge collapsed after being hit by a merchant ship.
It was a way better rescue platform than the Plastic Puppy that replaced it.
You could stand up in it and it had way more room to manuver while do hoist operations.

tom schneider, e-mail, 12.10.2015reply

SAR aircrewman out of Brooklyn Air station 68 /71 I have all my time on the 52 and two winged S

Ronnald Kripas, e-mail, 28.02.2024 tom schneider

Hi Tom,
At cgas brooklyn 69 /72. Was an AE but worked the flight line most of the time. Had some good times .

reply

Jonathan Cerezo, e-mail, 30.07.2021 tom schneider

I was at several air stations in my tour. Flew in C-131s and H52s at Brooklyn as my last duty station from 81-83.

I thought I was getting punished getting sent to Brooklyn Air but it was the best Air Station ever while Bobby Wilkes was the CO. Loved the H-52 but loved my crewmates more.

We flew a lot of missions and worked hard to maintain flight readiness, but we had so much fun doing it together.

Semper Paratus
J. Cerezo

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RONALD KRIPAS, e-mail, 16.02.2021 tom schneider

Hi Tom,
Flew in 52's at CGASBKLYN from 69-72. AE but worked the flight line most of the time.

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Aris Helicopters, e-mail, 17.02.2015reply

We are currently restoring an S62 and an HH52, one from Australia and the other from Alaska. N1925N and N52NP are the N-Numbers. We are looking for some experts to help finish this project. If you are interested or have knowledge of this machine or engine, please contact Danny at yesdannysback@gmail.com

Tressa, e-mail, 19.01.2013reply

I have a crate of various tooling and parts for the S62 I would like to sell.

Rex, e-mail, 04.11.2014reply

Iam looking for sdg gearbox for a t58

Pete, e-mail, 28.11.2010reply

There is a flyable HH52A at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pa. Tail number 1394. Available for air shows.

Lou Jenny, e-mail, 01.03.2012reply

Just finished up on the 1415 which now hangs on from the rafters at the boeing air and space mus. And yes, this a /c still bears my name in the "hell hole"!!

John, e-mail, 25.04.2012reply

I know where there are 9 s62 for sale.
25 K with logs and 20k without.
All are complete .

Charles Sebastian Newport, e-mail, 25.01.2024 John

Hi John

Are the S62s still for sale?

reply

Ivan, e-mail, 05.03.2021 John

Hi John, i know this is a long shot, but are there any s62 left for sale? or any info of where they may have ended up.

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Racer189, e-mail, 19.05.2012reply

I'm looking for T58 engines and related parts for a marine racing application, please contact me if you know of any?

Thanks

Bob Berryhill, e-mail, 06.06.2010reply

Hi John
We served together at Borinquen PR on HH3Fs. I was at Corpus Christi, Tx and ARSC with 52's. Was a good Helo. If by chance you see this contact me at bearbait69@live.com
Bob

Marty, e-mail, 30.06.2010reply

There is one flying on Roatan Island in Honduras, Reg: HR-AVF (S /No: 62124), formally VH-ORP in Australia

Wayne Ligon, e-mail, 16.10.2012reply

Just finished a full illustration of a HH52A Seaguard. It`s on fineart America, under my name.

John Furqueron AEC-USCG, e-mail, 08.04.2010reply

I flew as aircrew on the HH-52A Coast Guard Air Stations in Astoria, OR, Miami, FL, and Port Angeles, WA. It was a neat helo to ride around in with legs hanging out the door or getting to play pilot many times. We flew many times with only one pilot, 1 crewman, so the enlisted aircrew got to fly it from the left seat often. It was a good helicopter and a nice platform to hoist from. Just wish it had a little more power at times. From a maintenance view, I found it easy to maintain. Saw one that was restored and was taking off from Eugene (EUG) OR a few years ago as I flew in with my FedEx Caravan. Would love to have gotten in it for a few minutes.

Luis Brenes, e-mail, 12.01.2010reply

Does anyone can inform me about the fuel comsumption in galons per hour of this helicopter? Tks.

Steve Darke, e-mail, 19.10.2009reply

Does anyone have any data on serial number 62-029? Has been reported as to Thailand, but I think not!

Steve Darke
www.thai-aviation.net

Jim, e-mail, 24.09.2009reply

Just saw an S-62 masquerading as Marine One in the sixth season opener of the TV show West Wing.

Larry Schlesser, e-mail, 11.03.2009reply

There currently is one of these being operated on the island of Roatan, Bay Islands Honduras as part of a medivac operation. I have photos if anyone wishes them.

Ronnie Heit, e-mail, 03.08.2022 Larry Schlesser

I'd love to see those pics.
I flew 52's outta Traverse City and Miami Airstation.
The last Miami.
Did 4 rescue missions.
My first on Halloween night 1979.
Found out February 2021 it had made the New York Times front page.
Way better rescue platform than the Plastic Puppy as fat as I'm concerned.
The Puppy can land on the water, once.
You can't stand up in it which has to be hell on your knees and back when handling the basket coming in loaded given with a fair sized adult your handling plus 2 hundred pounds.
Easily one of the best times of my life was the almost 5 years of my enlistment.
Especially when it was me and an Lt flying as the only crew.

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Daniel Carlson, e-mail, 06.08.2008reply

I've been waiting a long time to build a model of the HH-52A U.S.C.G. Will there ever be a kit of this?

Steve Kerr, e-mail, 26.10.2020 Daniel Carlson

I just saw your post. If you are still looking for a model of a S62 /HH52 I have located a company in Europe called Whirlbirds. Their e-mail is sales@whirlybirdmodels.com

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candela, e-mail, 09.04.2008reply

illustrator looking for original plan of s.62.a exchange by my owm of my limited edition if interested thanks.engine wiew and cutways

1-20 21-40

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