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[2004.040.001] Aircraft - 'VH-3A Sea King' |
| Accession Number |
2004.040.001 |
| Accession Date |
02/03/2004 |
| Creator |
| Creator |
Creator Role |
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Manufacturer |
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| Date Created |
1962 |
| Object Desciption |
In July 1979 HMX-1 became the single source for helicopter support to the White House, remaining so for the next 32 years and counting. |
| Object Notes |
The museum's VH-3A Sea King (originally designated HSS-2Z) once flew the President of the United States as one of the "Marine One" helicopters. It was first delivered in 1962, one of eight VH-3As procured under Navy contract. Interestingly, it initially was painted in U.S. Army markings and operated by both Army and Marine Corps crews, before President John F. Kennedy initiated the standard green and white color scheme that endures today. In 1966, the museum's aircraft was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) 1 at Quantico, Virginia. That move coincided with HMX-1s Executive Flight Detachment becoming the sole provider of helicopter transport to the President of the United States, a mission which had been shared with the U.S. Army since 1957. According to the history card for this aircraft, though it served in HMX-1 beginning in 1966, it did not fly with the Executive Flight Detachment until January 1972, remaining in service in that capacity until assigned to the Navy in 1975. It finished its service with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 2 in 2003, at which time it was transferred to the museum. |
| Notes |
In an effort to replace antisubmarine hunter/killer teams of two helicopters with one platform capable of performing both missions, the Navy contracted for the Sikorsky H-3 Sea King. Delivered to the fleet beginning in 1961, the Sea King carried an array of sounding equipment and an ordnance payload of 840 lb. A true amphibian with a water tight hull and stabilizing floats for retractable wheels, the helicopter also featured an auto-stabilization system that, coupled with automatic hovering equipment and a Doppler/radar altimeter, provided the H-3 with the required all-weather capability. A twin engine design, it demonstrated its capability in February 1962, by becoming the first helicopter to exceed a speed of 200 M.P.H. in an officially sanctioned trial, bettering the existing world record for distances between 15 and 25 kilometers.
Though hunting enemy submarines was the prime reason for its procurement, the Sea King's outstanding performance capabilities prompted its adaptation to other missions. One of these was executive transport, for which the Navy procured eight VH-3A versions of the Sea King. Luxuriously fitted out with carpeting, radio telephones, a wet bar, and toilet facility, the aircraft also were extensively soundproofed and armored, with special protection provided for the aircraft electrical system and flight controls. Self-sealing fuel tanks and energy-absorbing landing gear and seats improved crash survivability. As executive transports, the aircraft most famously served in the Executive Flight Detachment of Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) 1, transporting the President of the United States.
VH-3As were replaced by improved VH-3D versions of the Sea King in 1976. These continue to operate today.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation
Dimensions: Length: 72 ft., 8 in.; Height: 16 ft., 10 in.; Rotor Diameter: 62 ft.
Weights: Empty: 13,465 lb.; Gross Weight: 918,897 lb.
Power Plant: Two 1,500 horsepower General Electric T58-GE-10 turboshaft engines
Performance: Maximum Speed: 166 M.P.H. at sea level; Service Ceiling: 14,700 ft.; Range: 625 miles
Crew: Two pilots and two aircrewman |
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