History of creation
In May 1958, Sikorsky presented the S-62 amphibious helicopter. The development of this helicopter began after successful tests on the modernized S-58 helicopter of the General Electric T-58 gas turbine engine with a free turbine. The Sikorsky S-62 helicopter was developed on the basis of the S-55 with a piston engine. The design of the new helicopter used a main and tail rotor system, transmission, and the same other units of this helicopter, which were installed in a new sealed case. The landing gear and fuselage provided take-off / landing on the water.
An experienced helicopter with a T58-GE-6 engine (1050 horsepower engine was derated to 670 hp) made its first flight on May 14, 1958. Serial production began in June 1960.
The Sikorsky S-62 helicopter was originally developed as a commercial helicopter, but it was not purchased, considering it too expensive and unable to carry a sufficient number of passengers. Therefore, Sikorsky decided to offer his helicopter to the US Coast Guard. To prove the reliability of the S-62 amphibious helicopter, Sikorsky made an experimental batch at his own expense. The amphibious hull, power plant and large cabin, which can carry up to 11 passengers, pleased the Coast Guard. On January 9, 1963, the US Coast Guard accepted the first Sikorsky S-62A amphibious helicopter under the designation HH-52A. A total of 99 helicopters were delivered. Also, the Japanese company Mitsubishi under license produced 25 Sikorsky HH-52A helicopters for the self-defense forces of Thailand and Japan.
Later, a modification of the S-62B was created with the main rotor of the S-58 apparatus. This helicopter was created for the Indian Air Force, but during the tests it crashed. As a result, the Indians chose the Soviet multipurpose Mi-4.
Design
The helicopter had a single-rotor design, with a tail rotor, a gas turbine engine and a tricycle landing gear.
The fuselage is an all-metal semi-monocoque made of aluminum alloys. The lower pressurized part of the fuselage is made in the form of a boat, which ensures the buoyancy of the helicopter. To increase lateral stability, the Sikorsky HH-52A is equipped with side floats. Pilot seats in the double cockpit are located next to each other. The cargo compartment with a volume of 12, 45m3 (size 4270x1620x1830 mm) can accommodate up to 11 passengers or up to 4 injured on a stretcher. There is a luggage compartment behind the cab. There is a sliding door on the starboard side.
The chassis with a tail wheel is tricycle. The main supports in flight are partially retracted into the floats, the tail support is not retracted. The main supports are equipped with oil-air shock absorbers.
The main rotor is three-bladed, has hinged blades and is equipped with a brake. In plan, the foldable all-metal blades are rectangular in shape. The extruded blade spar is made of aluminum alloy. Blade chord 425 mm.
The tail rotor has a diameter of 2670 mm. The blades are trapezoidal in plan, on a common horizontal hinge.
The engine is mounted on top of the fuselage in a fairing.
The transmission was designed to deliver 545 kW. It includes main, intermediate and tail gearboxes and drive shafts.
The fuel system consisted of three tanks, which were located under the cab floor. The front tank had a volume of 348 liters, the main one - 689, the rear one - 523. The filler neck was made on the right side of the fuselage. The oil tank was designed for 9.5 liters.
The helicopter electrical system consists of a DC generator (28 V), batteries (24 V) and alternators (26 V and 115 V).
The electronic equipment includes: Collins 615F radio station, automatic stabilization system, instrument flight equipment, a special radio station for communication with the coast guard.
Additional equipment: rescue winch with a lifting capacity of 270 kg, a hook for external suspension designed for 1360 kg, emergency inflatable ballonets and an anchor.
Flight technical characteristics:
Modification - HH-52;
Main rotor diameter - 16, 20 m
Length - 13, 90 m;
Height - 4, 90 m
Empty helicopter weight - 2200 kg;
Maximum takeoff weight - 3765 kg;
Engine type - General Electric T58-GE-8B;
Power - 932 kW;
Maximum speed - 175 km / h;
Cruising speed - 155 km / h;
Range of action - 750 km;
Rate of climb - 354 m / min;
Service ceiling - 3400 m;
Crew - 2 people;
Payload - up to 11 passengers.
Prepared based on materials:
