This Sikorsky Sea King (BuNo 149727, msn 61-162) started out as an HSS-2, and was then re-designated as SH-3A on 18 September 1962. It was ultimately upgraded to SH-3H specifications. The most outward indication that a Sea King airframe was upgrades to SH-3H specifications was the elongated sponsons, and in particular the right sponson that mounted the ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector, and reeling machine. Seen here, the “MAD bird” (in yellow and red) is in the stowed position. By the way, the left sponson housed a multiple round smoke and flare launcher. Also seen here - in the “trail” position, is the AQS-13 dipping sonar. As mentioned elsewhere, this dipping sonar was what made the Sea King one of the most capable airborne sub hunters, as it allowed a direct connection with the undersea realm. In the active mode, one “ping” could give the Sea King crew the range and bearing to the sub, while a second ping a few moments later could give the crew the submarine’s course and speed. Thus, with range and bearing, course and speed, the crew had enough data to dial in the torpedo presetter, and launch the weapon - game over!
The Sea King was used primarily for Inner Zone antisubmarine warfare. The Inner Zone, although the tactics change from time to time, was a 50-mile circle centered around the carrier. Outside of this radius, antisubmarine defense was the forte of fixed-wing, carrier-based sub hunter - Grumman S-2 Trackers in the old days which were replaced by the Lockheed S-3A Viking. The carrier based antisubmarine warfare team of the Sea King and the Viking was a formidable force. Throw in a couple of surface ships - frigates and destroyers - and this force becomes even more effective at protecting the carrier.
Ever versatile - another mission assigned to the Sea King was anti-terrorist operations - preventing any terrorists in small boats from approaching the carrier. Note the flexible, plinth-mounted .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun in the cargo door.
The Sea King seen here was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron FIVE (HS-5), part of Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7), then embarked aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69), which was then underway on cruise in the Mediterranean Sea in 1988. Photo: U.S. Navy via the U.S. Navy Safety Center and the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Sikorsky Sea King
MSN 61-601 through 61-843
Original: 25 August 2009
Last Update: 6 June 2022
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Constructor’s Number, Model, BuNo or S/N or Reg., Notes:
61-601, HH-3F, 1436, Notes: USCG.
61-602, HH-3F, 1437, Notes: USCG.
61-603, HH-3F, 1438, Notes: USCG.
61-604, CH-3E, 67-14702, Notes: USAF. This CH-3E was written off on 15 January 1969.
61-605, CH-3E, 67-14703, Notes: USAF. Upgraded to HH-3E specifications. This airframe was operational during the Gulf War. Currently preserved at Warner Robbins AFB.
61-606, CH-3E, 67-14704, Notes: USAF. This aircraft was operated for a time by the USN, however was not assigned a BuNo. It was struck from the Navy's list on 4 August 1972, at Point Magu, California.
61-607, CH-3E, 67-14705, Notes: USAF.
61-608, CH-3E, 67-14706, Notes: USAF.
61-609, CH-3E, 67-14707, Notes: USAF. This aircraft was operated for a time by the USN, however was not assigned a BuNo. It was struck from the Navy's list on 14 March 1973, at Point Magu, California. Upgraded to HH-3E specifications. This airframe was operational during the Gulf War. Sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995.
61-610, CH-3E, 67-14708, Notes: USAF.
61-611, CH-3E, 67-14709, Notes: USAF.
61-612, CH-3E, 67-14710, Notes: USAF.
61-613, CH-3E, 67-14711, Notes: USAF.
61-614, CH-3E, 67-14712, Notes: USAF.
61-615, CH-3E, 67-14713, Notes: USAF.
61-616, CH-3E, 67-14714, Notes: USAF.
61-617, CH-3E, 67-14715, Notes: USAF.
61-618, HH-3E, 67-14716, Notes: USAF.
61-619, HH-3E, 67-14717, Notes: USAF.
61-620, CH-3E, 61-620, Notes: USAF.
61-621, CH-3E, 61-621, Notes: USAF.
61-622, HH-3E, 67-14720, Notes: USAF.
61-623, HH-3E, 67-14721, Notes: USAF.
61-624, HH-3E, 67-14722, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-625, HH-3E, 67-14723, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-626, HH-3E, 67-14724, Notes: USAF. This HH-3E was operational during the Gulf War. Sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995.
An excerpt from the U.S. Department of Commerce book “Airline Service of the USA,” published back in 1970. Helicopter-based airlines were quite in vogue for several years, but have since faded away. For these airlines the Sikorsky S-61 was a popular bird.
61-627, HH-3E, 67-14725, Notes: USAF.
61-628, ????
61-629, HH-3F, 1467, Notes: USCG.
61-630, HH-3F, 1468, Notes: USCG.
61-631, HH-3F, 1469, Notes: USCG.
61-632, HH-3F, 1470, Notes: USCG.
61-633, HH-3F, 1471, Notes: USCG.
61-634, HH-3F, 1472, Notes: USCG.
61-635, HH-3F, 1473, Notes: USCG.
61-636, HH-3F, 1474, Notes: USCG.
61-637, HH-3F, 1475, Notes: USCG.
61-638, HH-3F, 1476, Notes: USCG.
61-639, HH-3F, 1477, Notes: USCG.
61-640, HH-3F, 1478, Notes: USCG.
61-641, HH-3F, 1479, Notes: USCG.
61-642, HH-3E, 69-5798, Notes: USAF. This HH-3E was operational during the Gulf War. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-643, HH-3E, 69-5799, Notes: USAF.
61-644, HH-3E, 69-5800, Notes: USAF.
61-645, HH-3E, 69-5801, Notes: USAF.
61-646, HH-3E, 69-5802, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-647, HH-3E, 69-5803, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-648, HH-3E, 69-5804, Notes: USAF.
61-649, HH-3E, 69-5805, Notes: USAF.
61-650, HH-3E, 69-5806, Notes: USAF.
61-651, HH-3E, 69-5807, Notes: USAF.
61-652, HH-3E, 69-5808, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-653, HH-3E, 69-5809, Notes: USAF.
A Canadian CH-124 Sea King helicopter lands on the flight deck of the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), off the coast of Southern California. The exercise serves to train independent deployers in air defense, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and maritime interdiction operations, while also building a strong working relationship between the maritime and aviation forces of the U.S. and Canada. Photo: U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Corey T. Jones
61-654, HH-3E, 69-5810, Notes: USAF.
61-655, HH-3E, 69-5811, Notes: USAF. After a period in storage at AMARG, this airframe was apparently sold to the Tunisian Republic Air Force in 1995
61-656, HH-3E, 69-5812, Notes: USAF.
61-657, HH-3F, 1480, Notes: USCG.
61-658, HH-3F, 1481, Notes: USCG.
61-659, HH-3F, 1482, Notes: USCG.
61-660, HH-3F, 1483, Notes: USCG.
61-661, HH-3F, 1484, Notes: USCG.
61-662, HH-3F, 1485, Notes: USCG.
61-663, HH-3F, 1486, Notes: USCG.
61-664, HH-3F, 1487, Notes: USCG.
61-665, HH-3F, 1488, Notes: USCG.
61-666, HH-3F, 1489, Notes: USCG.
61-667, HH-3F, 1490, Notes: USCG.
61-668, HH-3F, 1491, Notes: USCG.
61-669, HH-3F, 1492, Notes: USCG.
61-670, HH-3F, 1493, Notes: USCG.
61-671, HH-3F, 1494, Notes: USCG.
61-672, ????
61-673, ????
61-674, ????
61-675, ????
61-676, ????
61-677, ????
61-678, ????
61-679, ????
61-680, ????
61-681, ????
61-682, ????
61-683, ????
61-684, ????
61-685, ????
61-686, ????
61-687, ????
61-688, ????
61-689, ????
61-690, ????
61-691, ????
61-692, ????
61-693, ????
61-694, ????
61-695, ????
61-696, ????
61-697, ????
61-698, ????
61-699, ????
61-700, ????
61-701, SH-3D, 158725, Notes: Delivered to the USN on 31 August 1972. On 2 July 1973, this Sea King was struck from the Navy's list, and transferred, via Stratford, Connecticut, to Spain.
61-702, S-61N-37, C-FHFS, Notes:
61-703, S-61N-37, N9119S, Notes:
61-704, S-61N-38, C-FDOH, Notes
61-705, S-61D-3, N3011, Notes:
61-706, S-61D-3, N3012, Notes:
61-707, Current records are rather vague as to the identity of this Sea King. It is possibly SH-3D - BuNo 159053 - delivered to the USN, and then on 1 December 1973, this Sea King was struck from the Navy's list, and transferred, via Stratford, Connecticut, to Spain.
61-708, SH-3D, 159054, Notes: USN. On 1 December 1973, this Sea King was struck from the Navy's list, and transferred, via Stratford, Connecticut, to Spain. Written off.
61-709, SH-3D, 159055, Notes: USN. On 1 December 1973, this Sea King was struck from the Navy's list, and transferred, via Stratford, Connecticut, to Spain.
61-710, SH-3D, 159056, Notes: USN. On 1 December 1973, this Sea King was struck from the Navy's list, and transferred, via Stratford, Connecticut, to Spain.
61-711, S-61N-39, G-BBUD, Notes:
61-712, S-61N-40, G-BBHL, Notes:
61-713, S-61N-40, G-BBHM, Notes:
61-714, S-61N-40, 9M-AWN, Notes:
61-715, S-61N-44, LN-OSJ, Notes:
61-716, S-61N-43, ZS-RDV, Notes:
61-717, S-61N-42, V8-UDZ, Notes:
61-718, S-61N-40, G-BBVA, Notes:
61-719, S-61N-44, 9M-SSR, Notes:
61-720, S-61N-40, 9M-PCM, Notes: Written off.
61-721, S-61N-39, G-BCEA, Notes:
61-722, S-61N-41, HS-HTC, Notes:
61-723, S-61A-4, M23-13, Notes: Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-724, VH-3D, 159350, Notes: USN.
61-725, VH-3D, 159351, Notes: USN.
61-726, VH-3D, 159352, Notes: USN.
61-727, VH-3D, 159353, Notes: USN.
61-728, VH-3D, 159354, Notes: USN.
61-729, VH-3D, 159355, Notes: USN.
61-730, VH-3D, 159356, Notes: USN.
61-731, VH-3D, 159357, Notes: USN.
61-732, VH-3D, 159358, Notes: USN.
61-733, VH-3D, 159359, Notes: USN.
61-734, VH-3D, 159360, Notes: USN.
61-735, S-61N-45, 9M-AVT, Notes:
61-736, S-61N-45, 9M-AVQ, Notes:
61-737, S-61N-45, G-BCLC, Notes:
61-738, S-61N-46, LN-OST, Notes:
61-739, S-61N-45, G-BCLD, Notes:
61-740, S-61N-46, OY-HDO, Notes:
61-741, S-61N-46, EC-FTB, Notes:
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sailors prepare to land an RAN Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King after an in-flight refueling exercise aboard Her Majesty's Australian amphibious ship HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Kauai during Rim of the Pacific 2008. RIMPAC is the world's largest multi-national exercise. Photo: U.S. Navy by K. Tekada
61-742, S-61N-56, ZS-RDY, Notes: Written off.
61-743, S-61N-49, C-FWYN, Notes: Written off.
61-744, S-61N-49, N612RM, Notes:
61-745, S-61N-48, G-BFMY, Notes:
61-746, S-61N-30, EI-CNL, Notes:
61-747, S-61N-50, G-BDES, Notes: Written off.
61-748, S-61N-84, C-FBRF, Notes: Written off.
61-749, S-61N-54, V8-BSP, Notes: In the fleet of Brunei Shell.
61-750, S-61N-45, G-BDII, Notes: In the fleet of Bristow Helicopters. Since written off.
61-751, S-61N-45, G-BDIJ, Notes: In the fleet of Bristow Helicopters.
61-752, S-61N-48, G-BIMU, Notes: In the fleet of Bristow Helicopters.
61-753, S-61N-56, PH-NZG, Notes:
61-754, S-61N-50, C-GSBL, Notes: With Canadian Helicopters.
61-755, S-61N-50, N219AC, Notes:
61-756, S-61N-46, EC-FVO, Notes:
61-757, S-61N-60, PT-YCF, Notes:
61-758, S-61N-61, EC-FZJ, Notes:
61-759, S-61N-61, PT-YAG, Notes: Written off.
61-760, S-61N-64, LN-OQS, Notes: Written off.
61-761, S-61N-63, G-BXSN, Notes:
61-762, S-61N-56, C-GYCH, Notes:
61-763, S-61R-12, H-72, Notes:
61-764, S-61N-66, LN-OQM, Notes:
61-765, S-61N-57, G-BDOC, Notes:
61-766, S-61N-76, 9M-AVO, Notes:
61-767, S-61N-68, N128AR, Notes:
61-768, S-61N-67, 9M-AVP, Notes:
Petty Officer 3rd Class Elan Landin, a boatswain's mate from Visalia, Calif., signals to an approaching Brazilian Navy SH-3 Sea King helicopter during a joint maritime exercise with the Brazilian navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill and the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson are participating with the Brazilian Navy in Southern Seas 2010. Photo: U.S. Navy by Chief Petty Officer Daniel Barker
61-769, S-61N-72, G-BEWL, Notes: Written off.
61-770, S-61N-69, G-BEON, Notes: Written off.
61-771, S-61N-69, G-BEOO, Notes:
61-772, S-61N-72, G-BEWN, Notes:
61-773, S-61N-74, LN-OMO, Notes:
61-774, S-61N-62, PT-HJA, Notes:
61-775, S-61N-74, V8-SAV, Notes:
61-776, S-61N-73, EI-MES, Notes:
61-777, S-61N-75, G-BFFJ, Notes:
61-778, S-61N-75, G-BFFK, Notes:
61-779, S-61N-D-4, 2H235, Notes: Argentine Navy.
61-780, S-61A-4, M23-14, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-781, S-61A-4, M23-15, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-782, S-61A-4, FM-1719, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-783, S-61A-4, M23-16, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-784, S-61A-4, FM-1721, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-785, S-61A-4, M23-18, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-786, S-61A-4, FM-1723, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-787, S-61A-4, M23-20, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-788, S-61A-4, FM-1725, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-789, S-61A-4, M23-22, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-790, S-61A-4, M23-23, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-791, S-61A-4, M23-24, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-792, S-61A-4, FM-1729, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-793, S-61A-4, M23-26, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-794, S-61A-4, FM-1731, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-795, S-61A-4, M23-28, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-796, S-61A-4, M23-29, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-797, S-61A-4, FM-1734, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Written off.
61-798, S-61A-4, M23-31, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-799, S-61A-4, M23-32, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-800, S-61A-4, M23-33, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-801, S-61A-4, M23-34, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-802, S-61A-4, M23-35, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-803, S-61A-4, M23-36, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-804, S-61A-4, M23-37, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-805, S-61A-4, M23-38, Notes: To the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
61-806, S-61N-77, PT-HTT, Notes:
61-807, S-61N-77, LN-OQB, Notes:
Later on in the career of the SH-3H Sea King sub hunter the U.S. Navy modified several airframes for a strictly logistics mission. This entailed the removal of all the antisubmarine warfare related gear. Note in this photo, the MAD bird has been deleted. With this modification the SH-3H became the US-3H. Note, the aircraft was still perfectly capable of conducting Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
The Sea King seen here (BuNo 148971, msn 61-043) was originally one of the early SH-3A airframes, which was upgraded through the years to SH-3H specifications, until it was reassigned to utility duties as a US-3H. Assigned to Helicopter Support Squadron ONE ONE (HC-11), it is coming aboard the USS Milius (DDG-69) an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, then cruising as part of the USS Constellation (CV-64) Battle Group - 25 October 2002.. Photo: U.S. Navy
61-808, S-61N-77, N563EH, Notes:
61-809, S-61N-71, G-BFRI, Notes: As of June 2015, this S-61N is in the fleet of British International Helicopters - operational.
61-810, S-61N-80, PT-YAF, Notes: Written off.
61-811, S-61N-79, C-FIBN, Notes:
61-812, S-61N-81, PT-HJK, Notes:
61-813, S-61N-81, PT-HJL, Notes:
61-814, S-61N-77, LN-OQQ, Notes:
61-815, S-61N-82, HS-HTA, Notes:
61-816, S-61N-77, LN-OQU, Notes:
61-817, S-61N-77, LN-ORC, Notes:
61-818, S-61N-83, N4240S, Notes:
61-819, S-61N-84, G-BGWJ, Notes:
61-820, S-61N-84, G-BGWK, Notes:
61-821, S-61N-84, G-FMAG, Notes:
61-822, S-61N-86, G-BPWB, Notes: Also EI-BHO with Irish Helicopters.
61-823, S-61N-87, C-GSAB, Notes:
61-824, S-61N-88, G-BHOF, Notes:
61-825, S-61N-88, PT-YEK, Notes:
61-826, S-61N-85, N15456, Notes:
61-827, S-61N-88, G-BHOH, Notes:
61-828, ????
61-829, ????
61-830, ????
61-831, ????
61-832, ????
61-833, ????
61-834, ????
61-835, ????
61-836, ????
61-837, ????
61-838, SH-3D SP, 161207, Notes: USN, then to the Spanish Navy. Written off.
61-839, SH-3D SP, 161208, Notes: USN.
61-840, SH-3D SP, 161209, Notes: USN.
61-841, SH-3D SP, 161210, Notes: USN.
61-842, SH-3D SP, 161211, Notes: USN.
61-843, SH-3D SP, 161212, Notes: USN, then to the Spanish Navy. Written off.
65-358, SH-3H, 158685, Notes: USN.
XX-XXX, SH-3H, 212574, Notes: USN. On 3 August 1984, while assigned to HS-6, this Sea King was written of aboard the USS Enterprise.
The VH-3A Sea King helicopter after refurbishment at Clayton International, ready for redelivery to the Egyptian government. The presidential helicopter was presented by former President Richard Nixon to Egypt President Anwar Sadat in 1974 has been redelivered to the Egyptian government in a ceremony held 14 May 2009, at Clayton International in Peachtree, Ga. Photo: U.S. Navy