Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave
1953 airlift helicopter series by Sikorsky / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave (company designation S-56) is an American large heavy-lift helicopter of the 1950s. This design was a late 20th century military heavy lift helicopter. It was the Sikorsky S-56 and entered service as the HR2S-1 Deuce with USMC in 1956, and the U.S. Army as the H-37A that same year as the H-37A Mojave. In the early 1960s the designation was standardized to CH-37 for both, with the HR2S-1 becoming the CH-37C specifically.
CH-37 Mojave HR2S-1 Deuce | |
---|---|
H-37 Mojave of the US Army in flight. | |
Role | Cargo helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
First flight | 18 December 1953 |
Introduction | July 1956 |
Retired | Late 1960s |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | United States Army United States Marine Corps |
Number built | 154[1] |
Developed into | Sikorsky S-60 Westland Westminster |
Developed in the early 1950s with its first flight in 1953, it filled a 1950 Navy requirement for an assault helicopter. The design had front ramp with side opening clam shell doors at the nose, and it was powered by two radial piston engines. It served well into the 1960s in active military service including in Indochina before being replaced, and many ex-military models went onto civilian service in the 1970s. This was the biggest helicopter in the world to enter service at the time, and one of the earliest twins. It was a bit noisy but earned a good reputation for reliability. The Navy also adapted it carry a naval radar, with two entering service as HR2S-1W.
The design lead to a possible production as the Westland Westminster in the United Kingdom;prototypes were produced, but it did not go into full production. The S-56 was also the basis for the S-60 Skycrane helicopter prototype.