Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard

HH-52 Seaguard
A U.S. Coast Guard HH-52A Seaguard using a rescue basket
Role	SAR/utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight	1959
Introduction	1961
Primary user	United States Coast Guard
Number built	175

The Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard (Company designation S-62) was a single turbine engine, three-blade 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 primarily for air-sea rescue. The HH-52 has been replaced by non-amphibious types such as the HH-65 Dolphin which rely on using a winch to retrieve passengers from a hover.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

U.S. Coast Guard HH-52A floating on the sea in 1979

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. Initially 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; and a 1,050 hp T58-GE-6 derated to 670 hp, moving the same main and tail rotor as S-55 Model, in the prototype.

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

N880, S-62 Prototype (cn62001), Paris-Le Bourget (France), June 1959.

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.

S-62J

Produced under license in Japan by Mitsubishi.

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

Iceland

• Icelandic Coast Guard

Japan

• Japan Air Self Defense Force
• Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

Philippines

• Philippine Air Force

Thailand

• Royal Thai Police

United States

• United States Coast Guard
• SFO Helicopter Airlines

Survivors

HH-52A Seaguard 'USCG1355' at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola FL

Cockpit of HH-52A Seaguard 'USCG1355' at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola FL

United States

N880

S-62 prototype , cn 62001, YoM 1958, ff 22-5-1958 - still in current FAA Register at March 31, 2011 to CARSON SERVICES Inc., Perkasie (PENNS.).

USCG 1355

On display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida

USCG 1357

Dillingham Airport, HI

USCG 1370

On display at Freedom Park in Omaha, Nebraska

USCG 1378

At the USS Alabama Museum in Mobile, Alabama

USCG 1383

American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, Westchester, PA

USCG 1384

Gate guard at CGAS Elizabeth City, NC

USCG 1389

Delgado Community College, New Orleans LA

USCG 1394

Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading PA

USCG 1398

In a mechanics school in Pocahantas AR

USCG 1397

Amarillo College, FAR Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, Amarillo, TX

USCG 1415

Museum of Flight (Seattle) Restoration Facility, Everett, WA

USCG 1416

Broward College Aviation school - North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines, FL

USCG 1423

Cockpit section only at National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, Florida

USCG 1428

On display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT

USCG 1429

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum - New York City

USCG 1450

On display at the Pima Air & Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona

USCG 1455

On display at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey, Teterboro, NJ

USCG 1459

Sister to USCG 1394 above, both retired from the now closed USCG Air Station Chicago at NAS Glenview.

Was on display at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago), now is at the Naval Air Station Glenview Museum.

USCG 1462

On display at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May County, NJ

Philippines

62018 (cn M62002)

On display at the Philippine Air Force Museum, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City

Specifications (HH-52A)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 44 ft 6½ in (13.58 m)
• Rotor diameter: 53 ft 0 in (16.16 m)
• Height: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
• Disc area: 2,206 sq ft (205 m²)
• Empty weight: 5,083 lb (2,306 kg)
• Useful load: 3,217 lb (1,459 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 8,300 lb (3,764 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft, 1250 shp derated to 730 shp (500 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 95 knot (175km/h, 109 mph) at sea level
• Cruise speed: 85 knot (158 km/h, 98 mph)
• Range: 412 nmi (763 km, 474 mi)
• Service ceiling: 11,200 ft (3,410 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,080 ft/min (5.5 m/s)

See also

• Sikorsky S-55
• SH-3 Sea King
• HH-3F Pelican
• List of helicopters
• List of military aircraft of the United States

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1969.

External links

• The Last Flying Lifeboat on MAAM.org
• Naval Air Station Glenview Museum
• US Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum
• HELIS.com Sikorsky S-62/HH-52 Database