Sikorsky S-61N Mk2 Coast Guard Amphibious civil transport Helicopter
The Sikorsky S61N and S61L are based on SH3/S61A/B Sea King series originally developed in the late 1950s. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built. In September 1957 the US Navy awarded Sikorsky a development contract to produce an amphibious anti submarine warfare helicopter capable of detecting and attacking submarines. The prototype Sea King flew on March 11 1959, while production deliveries took place from September 1961. Power for initial production aircraft was supplied by two 930kW (1250shp) General Electric T58GE8B turboshafts. Development of a civil version was undertaken almost concurrently, with the commercial S61L flying for the first time on November 2 1961. While based on the Sea King, the S61L is (4ft 3in) longer allowing it to carry a substantial payload of freight or passengers. Power for initial production S61Ls was supplied by two 1005kW (1350shp) GE CT58140 turboshafts, the civil equivalent of the T58. Unlike the Sea King, the S61L features a modified landing gear without float stabilisers. The otherwise identical S61N, which first flew on August 7 1962, retains the floats, making it suitable for overwater operations, particularly oil rig support. Both the S61L and S61N were subsequently updated to Mk II standard with improvements including more powerful CT58110 engines giving better hot and high performance, vibration damping and other detail refinements. A third civil development of the S61 series to be offered was the Payloader, a stripped down machine optimised for aerial crane work. The Payloader features the fixed undercarriage of the S61L, but with an empty weight almost 900kg (2000lb) less than the standard S61N. The S61 Shortsky is a unique shortened () conversion of the S61N and L, designed to increase single engine performance and external payload. The conversion first flew in February 1996 and
Size: 6097px × 4010px
Location: Stornoway Airport, Western Isles, Hebrides. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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