The story
Sikorsky's S-61R kept the Sea King's engines and rotor and replaced its boat hull with a watertight fuselage and a rear loading ramp. It first flew on 17 June 1963. The US Air Force bought it as the CH-3 transport and the HH-3E rescue helicopter, the Jolly Green Giant, which went to Southeast Asia with armour, guns, self-sealing tanks and a hoist to pull downed aircrew out. The Coast Guard flew it as the HH-3F Pelican, and Agusta built it under licence for Italy. The Air Force, the Coast Guard and Italy have all retired it. At least one is still on the US civil register, and a Georgia company bought Italy's 26 retired airframes in 2024 to refurbish them for new operators.
On 31 May and 1 June 1967 two Air Force HH-3Es flew nonstop from New York to the Paris Air Show in 30 hours 46 minutes, refuelling in flight nine times. The Air Force's newest rescue helicopter, the HH-60W, is named Jolly Green II in honour of the Jolly Green rescue crews.
Quick answers
How do you identify a S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant?
Sea King-sized, but with a squared-off fuselage instead of a boat hull, a ramp under the tail, a nosewheel and main wheels tucked into sponsons, and a five-blade rotor. Air Force rescue HH-3Es carried a long refuelling probe on the nose.
What does a S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant sound like?
A deep five-blade Sikorsky thrum over a twin-turbine whine, the same family voice as a Sea King.
How fast is the S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant?
Top speed is 143 kts (HH-3E).
How many people does the S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant carry?
Typical configuration: 28 passengers or 6,500 lb of cargo.
How far can the S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant fly?
Range is about 779 nmi (HH-3E).
How big is the S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant?
It is 73 ft 0 in long and 62 ft 0 in across the rotor.
When did the S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant first fly?
Its first flight was in 1963.
How many S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giants have been built?
140+ built.
How rare is a S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first S-61R / HH-3 Jolly Green Giant catch is worth 250 points.
