Sikorsky Product History

Sikorsky S-56

U.S. Marine Corps HR2S-1 BuNo 138423, the seventh S-56 production helicopter

Background

The Sikorsky S-56 helicopter was designed in response to a U. S. Navy Specification dated September 15, 1950 for a Class HR (Assault) Helicopter.  A proposal was submitted on December 31, 1950 proposing two designs – a basic helicopter identified as XHRS-A, and a compound helicopter with folding wings identified as XHRS-B.  Both models were powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 reciprocating engines however both were offered with Allison XT-38-A-2 turbine engines.  The Navy chose the model with the least technical risk and in early 1951 provided a Contract (Experimental Order) for the XHRS-A helicopter giving it the military designation XHR2S-1.  First flight of the XHR2S-1 was on December 18, 1953.

  • S56-2
  • S56-3
  • S56-4
The S-56 helicopters featured a 68 foot (later increased to 72 foot) 5 bladed fully articulated main rotor and a 4 bladed tail rotor powered by the Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-50, 1,900 hp (later R-2800-54, 2,100 hp), 18 cylinder, twin row, air cooled radial engine.
 
The S-56 was a giant step forward in helicopter design. It was four times larger than the S-58 model and comparable in size to the Douglas DC-3 twin engine transport.  At the time of its introduction it was the largest and fastest helicopter in the western world.  It was also Sikorsky’s first multi-engine, retractable main landing gear helicopter and is the largest piston-engine helicopter ever built.  It was also the first Sikorsky helicopter with Automatic Main Rotor Blade folding (CH-37C), and an Auxiliary Power Unit which provided electrical power for the Cargo Winch to allow self-loading.
 
In 1956 a Marine HR2S-1 helicopter set 3 World records: a speed record without payload of 162.7 mph (141.4 kts); an altitude record of 12,100 ft (3688.1 meters) with a 11,023 lbs (5000 kg) load; and a load carrying record of 13,227 lbs (6000 kg) to 6,561 feet (2000 meters).
 
The following video is the Paramount Newsreel “For the Marines — Newest Transport ‘Copter”
Customer
Model No.
Old Model No
(Prior to 1962)
Nickname
Mission
U.S. Marine Corps
CH-37C
HR2S-1
The Deuce
Utility Transport
U.S. Navy
HR2S-1W
Airborne Early Warning
U.S. Army
CH-37A
H-37A
Mojave
Utility Transport
U.S. Army
CH-37B
H-37B
Mojave
Utility Transport

The U.S. Army “borrowed” an XHR2S-1 helicopter in 1954 for testing designating it as an YH-37. This helicopter did not have an automatic folding main rotor or an Automatic Stabilization System. After a successful test program the Army placed an initial order for 9 helicopters similar to the helicopter tested. The Army eventually purchased 94 CH-37A (H-37A) helicopters. After delivery of the last H-37A helicopter, 90 of the 94 helicopters were returned to Sikorsky for remanufacturing to the H-37B configuration which included moving the stabilizer to the top of the tail rotor pylon, adding Automatic Stabilization Equipment (ASE) to allow instrument flight, and larger engine oil tanks.

  • S56-5
  • S56-6
  • S56-7
  • S56-8
  • S56-9
  • S56-11
  • S56-10

Development of the U.S. Marine Corps HR2S-1 did not go smoothly. The contract required an automatic main rotor fold system and folding pylon to fit the helicopter on the aircraft carrier elevators. Automatic Stabilization Equipment (ASE) was also required to allow night flights over water and in instrument weather conditions (IFR). Development of these systems took more time than planned. Other issues delayed initial deliveries and initial customer testing resulted in limiting orders for the HR2S-1 (180 planned vs. 55 actual) and increasing orders for the smaller S-58 (H-34/HUS-1) (45 planned vs.572 actual) to meet troop carrying requirements. All engineering issues were eventually solved and the ‘Lessons Learned” were applied in the design of the very successful follow-on model S-64 (CH-54A) and S-65 (CH-53A) helicopters.

S-56 Development Timeline

First Flight
First flight of the Sikorsky S-56 (XHR2S-1)
S-56 Licensed to Westland Aircraft
S-56 added to license agreement with Westland Aircraft, of Yeovil England.
First Delivery
First HR2S-1 was delivered to the U.S Government. It remained at Sikorsky for testing.
First Delivery to U.S. Marine Corps
First HR2S-1 delivered to U.S. Marines Corps development squadron HMX-1
First Delivery to U.S. Navy
First production configured HR2S-1 delivered to Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River Maryland for BIS (Board of Inspection and Survey) trials.
Altitude Record Set
HR2S-1 set an altitude record with 5,000 Kilogram (11,023 lbs.) load of 12,100 feet (3688.1 meters). Pilots were Marine Major Roy L. Anderson and Sikorsky test pilot Robert S. Decker.
Load Lifting Record Set
HR2S-1 set a greatest load (6000 kg (13,227 lbs.)) to an altitude of 2000 meters (6,561.7 feet). Pilots were Marine Major Roy L. Anderson and Sikorsky test pilot Robert S. Decker.
Speed Record Set
HR2S-1 set maximum speed without payload of 162.7 mph (141.4 knots). Pilots were Marine Major Roy L. Anderson and Sikorsky test pilot Robert S. Decker.
First Delivery to U.S. Army
First H-37A delivered to the Army Aviation Board, Fort Rucker, Alabama for service tests and development of operational missions for the heavy lift helicopter.
HMX-1 Begins Fleet Introduction Program
HMX-1, Quantico Virginia begins FIP (Fleet Introduction Program) with four HR2S-1 helicopters to “Train the Trainers” for the first operational squadron HRM(M)-461.
Delivery of Airborne Early Warning Configuration
Delivery of the first of 2 HR2S-1W Airborne Early Warning with an AN/APS-32 Radar. Navy testing resulted in a decision to use fixed wing aircraft for the AEW mission which were faster and had lower operating costs.
First Rescue by S-56
First S-56 rescue by a U.S. Army H-37A in Rock Springs, Wyoming at 10,000 feet.
Delivery to Fort Benning, Georgia
U.S. Army 4th Transportation Company, Fort Benning, Georgia becomes the first Army unit equipped with the H-37A Mojave helicopters
Delivery to U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana
HMR(M)-462 received HR2S-1 helicopters at U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana California.
Deployment to Germany
First U.S. Army H-37A Mojave helicopters deployed to Germany.
CH-37B Deployed to Vietnam War
Eight Army CH-37B helicopters deployed to Vietnam to recover downed U.S. aircraft. They recovered an estimated $7.5M worth of equipment, most behind enemy held territory virtually inaccessible by any other means
CH-37C Deployed to Vietnam War
Eight Marine Corps CH-37C helicopters deployed to Vietnam for general transport duties in support of Marine Air Group 16 at Marble Mountain. Although this unit had only 10 pilots assigned, they flew 5,400 hours in 1,500 missions. They hauled 12.5 million pounds of cargo and transported 31,000 passengers without an accident
Final CH-37B Retired
Last of Army CH-37B helicopter retired from service by National Guard Units.
FAA Type Certification Issued
First of 40 CH-37B and CH-37C military surplus helicopters FAA-certified by Keystone Helicopters with a Restricted (10,000 lb external only load) Type Certificate.
December 18, 1953
June 29, 1955
September 1955
January 1956
October, 1956
November 9, 1956
November 10, 1956
November 11, 1956
December 1956
January 1957
June 3, 1957
August 1957
July 1957
March 1958
July 1959
June 1963
September 1965
November 1969
March 8, 1972

Configuration Features

The Sikorsky S-56 featured a five blade 72 foot main rotor and a 4 bladed 15 foot anti torque tail rotor.  The engines were mounted in nacelles at the tip of a short high wing.  The wings provided lift in forward flight which unloaded the main rotor which delayed blade stall, allowing an increase in top speed.  Fuel was carried in wing and nacelle tanks and the retractable main landing gear was located in the nacelles, leaving the cabin clear for loading or unloading troops or cargo.  The lower portion of the nose consisted of “clam shell” type cargo loading doors and a cargo loading ramp.  The cockpit was located in the nose of the helicopter above the cargo compartment, slightly aft of the cargo loading doors allowing downward visibility during approaches through the windows in the cargo doors.

S-56 Models

CH-37A (H-37A) Mojave

U.S. Army version of the S-56 featured a manually folded main rotor and a hydraulically folded tail rotor pylon.

CH-37B (H-37B) Mojave

U.S. Army CH-37A helicopters factory remanufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft to the CH-37B configuration.  Major modifications included:

  • Automatic Stabilization Equipment (ASE) which allowed hands off flying and instrument flight.
  • Stabilizer moved from both sides of rear fuselage to the top right side of the tail rotor pylon.
  • Increase of engine oil tank capacity from 13.3 gallons to 30 gallons per engine.
  • Replacement of rear split cargo door with a sliding cargo door.

CH-37C (HR2S-1) The Deuce

U.S. Marine Corps version of the S-56 which featured an automatic fold main rotor and a manual hydraulically folded tail rotor pylon to reduce the size of the S-56 to fit on the aircraft carrier elevators.  Automatic Stabilization Equipment (ASE) allowed hands-off flying and safe operation at night and in instrument flying conditions.

Keystone FAA Certified CH-37B and CH-37C Helicopters

Keystone Helicopters purchased 40 CH-37B and C helicopters and obtained a FAA Restricted type certificate which allowed carrying10,000 pound external loads. The helicopter was restricted to carrying only the required number of crew members internally.  For commercial operations Keystone made the following modifications:

  • Removed all unnecessary cowlings
  • Removed heater system
  • Main landing gear was locked down and hydraulics removed
  • The hydraulic system to open/close the nose doors and ramp were removed
  • The ASE system was disabled, adding to pilot workload.
  • Any system not required for the external lift mission was removed to save weight and increase lift capability.
Keystone Helicopters FAA registered CH-37B

Fuselage

The S-56 fuselage was constructed of an aluminum structure with aluminum and magnesium skins and reinforced plastic or Fiberglas removable panels.

Stabilizer

Three different stabilizer configurations were installed on S-56 helicopters:

Adjustable Stabilizer  Early CH-37A helicopters had an adjustable (trim-able) stabilizer on the aft fuselage to aid in maintaining longitudinal trim during forward flight.  The stabilizer was adjustable in flight from a 15 degree positive angle to a 10 degree negative angle. For best hovering performance the stabilizer was feathered relative to the main rotor downdraft.

Two Position Stabilizer  On later CH-37A and CH-37C models, a two position stabilizer was installed on the aft fuselage. In the flight position it was positioned horizontally with a 2 degree nose down position and in the hover position it dropped to a vertical free floating position in the main rotor downwash with a hydraulic damper to reduce vibration.

Tail Rotor Pylon Stabilizer  On CH-37B models the stabilizer was moved to the top of the tail rotor pylon on the right side.  This 24.5 sq. ft. stabilizer had 10 degrees of dihedral and a zero degree angle of incidence.

Main Rotor Assembly

A 5 bladed fully articulated main rotor head with a 24 inch offset flapping hinge was installed on the S-56 helicopter. The 72 foot diameter main rotor was controlled by a 2 stage hydraulic irreversible servo control system. On CH-37B and CH-37C helicopters Automatic Stabilization Equipment (ASE) with an auxiliary servo was installed to permit safer night flying and instrument flight.  A rotor flapping restrainer allowed rotor engagement in winds of up to 60 knots with the helicopter headed into the wind.  Normal operating range for the main rotor was between 164 rpm (618 ft. per sec.) and 204 rpm (769 ft. per sec.).

Six Bladed Main Rotor

In March 1959, a six bladed main rotor was test flown on an Army H-37A helicopter to investigate the flight characteristics.  Although the tests indicated lower vibration levels, an appreciable delay in blade stall, and no increase in power requirements it was never used on the S-56 helicopter.  However, the six bladed main rotor was used on the S-64 (CH-54A) helicopter.

Main Rotor Blades

The all metal main rotor blades were constructed of aluminum alloy except for steel cuffs.  The main rotor blade was constructed of a hollow extruded aluminum spar with 27 honeycomb filled, aluminum skinned pockets bonded to the spar.  A NACA 0012 airfoil was used. The original main rotor blades had a 21.5 inch chord with 14 degrees of negative twist and weighed 335 pounds.  Wide chord blades with a NACA 0010.9 airfoil, a 23.65 inch chord, and 8 degrees of negative twist were offered on a retrofit basis which provided increased lift and an increase in Maximum speed from 110 to 130 knots on the CH-37C and 80 to 120 knots on the CH-37B.  The wide cord blades weighed 350 pounds.  The wide chord blades were the first use of an airfoil other than the NACA 0012 on a production Sikorsky helicopter.

Stall Indicator/Performance Indicator

A stall indicator later called a performance indicator was mounted on the top of the instrument panel to assist the pilot in obtaining optimum performance from the helicopter.  This was accomplished by a transducer mounted within the piston of the right lateral main rotor servo which measured the vibratory loads imposed on the stationary star (swashplate).  The vibratory loads on the stationary star were influenced by varying conditions of rpm, gross weight, altitude, temperature, load factor, airspeed, and fuselage attitude.  These loads were a direct indication of the onset of blade stall or the degree of blade stall encountered during a flight. By September, 1960, the stall indicator had been removed from the Marine CH-37C helicopters.

CH-37A Stall Indicator
CH-37B Performance Indicator

Main Gearbox

The main gearbox consisted of magnesium housing with a 2-stage planetary reduction system plus a spiral bevel input gear mesh for each engine input which all together provided a reduction ratio of 14.05 to 1. This reduced engine rpm from 2700 rpm to 193 rpm.

CH-37B Main Rotor and Main Gearbox

Tail Rotor Assembly

A 4 bladed 15 foot diameter all metal fully articulated tail rotor was installed.  To prevent the tail rotor blades from flapping when the helicopter was parked, the tail rotor blades were coned against their stops by an electrically operated coning ring located on the tail rotor gear box.  The tail rotor pitch change was accomplished by a 2 stage hydraulic servo.

Soldier shows the large H-37B tail rotor

Twin Tail Rotor 

In 1956, a Vee shaped twin tail rotor was installed in a Marine XHR2S-1 helicopter to improve the cg (center of gravity) range and to increase forward speed.  Both 4 blade and 5 blades twin tail rotors were tested.  With two canted tail rotors the individual tail rotor thrusts could be adjusted to provide both the required anti-torque  thrust and different levels of lift.  In this way if the center of gravity was too far forward or aft it could be compensated for by increasing or decreasing tail rotor lift. The improvements were less than expected and the modifications would increase the complexity of the flight control system and complicate the design solution to the pylon fold requirement.

U.S. Marines XHR2S-1 with twin tail rotor

Engine

Two Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp  2100 hp R-2800-54 18 cylinder twin-row engines were installed with a 80 degree turn and a 12 ½ degree upward slope in the drive system to align with the main gearbox input. They were located in a nacelle supported by a stub wing.  The engines were plagued by excessive oil consumption until late in its service life when baffles were added to the oil tanks to eliminate oil foaming.  The non-standard engine configuration probably contributed to the oil consumption problem.  The engines were run at high power settings almost continually which brought a 2,000 hour time between removals in fixed wing applications to 350 hours in a helicopter.

Pratt and Whitney R-2800 18 cylinder twin row radial engine

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

The S-56 helicopters were equipped with a portable APU which was secured to the rear cabin floor cargo tiedown fittings.  The APU used the helicopter battery for starting power or could be hand cranked when necessary. The APU starter-generator was driven by a 10 hp V-2 cylinder gasoline engine.  The APU starter-generator provided 28 vdc power primarily to power the cargo winch for helicopter loading.  It could also provide power to start the engines and power all electrical equipment installed on the helicopter.

Auxiliary Power Unit

General Arrangement Drawing

CH-37B 3-view Drawing

Mission Systems

Cargo Hoist

The S-56 helicopters were equipped with a 2,000 lb capacity electric cargo hoist. A monorail on the cabin overhead could be extended out the cabin door to allow self-loading of the helicopter. An Auxiliary Power Unit provided electrical power for loading operations.  The cabin floor under the rotor head contained a hatch “Hell Hole” which allowed observation of cargo hook operations and allowed  rescue  hoist operations (hoist weight was limited to 600 lbs. when hoisting personnel). 

CH-37B Cargo Hoist and Monorail System
CH-37A self-loading cargo

MEDEVAC

The S-56 helicopter could be configured to carry 24 litter patients during a Medical Evacuation mission.

CH-37B in 24 litter MEDEVAC configuration

Cargo Hook

A 10,000 pound capacity external cargo sling was available for use on the S-56 helicopter. A crewmember was able to view the external load through cargo hatch in the cabin floor and had a pendant with the ability to drop the load in an emergency.

Troop Accommodations

Troop seats for fully equipped troops were provided for 36 troops in Marine CH-37C helicopters and 23 troops in Army CH-37A/B helicopters.

Mid Air Retrieval System (MARS)

In the 1960s spy satellites ejected film capsules which were captured in mid-air to prevent destruction of the film from a hard landing on earth.  Recoveries of packages up to 800 pounds were performed by helicopters. In 1962, White Sands Missile Range identified a need to recover missiles, boosters and capsules using this type of soft recovery.  U. S. Army CH-37B was used to recover packages of up to 2,500 ponds.

The technique involved installing a winch and equipment designed by All American Engineering, Wilmington, Delaware.  The winch was installed in the cabin forward of the cargo hatch.  Two 24 foot arms extended below the helicopter which caught the drogue chute on the package.  The main chute was then jettisoned and the package reeled into the helicopter.  The winch was like a giant fishing reel and the cable slipped when the load was applied allowing a controlled deceleration. When the speed of the load and the helicopter were matched, a brake was applied and the load reeled into the belly of the helicopter.

U.S. Army CH-3B MARS helicopter recovering 2,500 pound package

General Characteristics and Performance

Performance
Standard Day at Sea Level
Maximum Speed (Vne)
CH-37C with Wide Chord Blades
130 kts / 240.8 km/hr
Range
145 miles / 233.4 km
Service Ceiling
8,700 ft / 2651.8 m
Rate of Climb
1,732 ft/min / 8.66 m/s
Weights
Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight
31,000 lbs / 14061.3 kg
Weight Empty
21,500 lbs / 9752.2 kg
Maximum Fuel Load (Internal)
400 gal / 1514.2 ltr
Maximum Fuel Load (External)
600 gal / 2271.3 ltr
Useful Load
9,500 lbs / 4309.1 kg
Maximum External Load ( Cargo Hook)
10,000 lbs / 4535.9 kg
General Data
Crew Seating Capacity
2
Seating Capacity
Up to 36 passengers
Powerplant Ratings
Standard Day at Sea Level
Pratt and Whitney R2800-54
5 minute rating
2,100hp / 1544.6 kw
Aircraft Dimensions
Main Rotor Diameter (Blade Tip Circle)
72’ 0” / 21.9 m
Tail Rotor Diameter (blade tip circle)
15’ / 4.6 m
Fuselage Length
55’ 8” / 16.8 m
Length Overall (Including Rotors)
88’ / 26.8 m
Height Overall
22’ / 6.7 m
Main Landing Gear Tread
19′ 9″ / 5.8 m

Production History

Sikorsky Aircraft S-56 production consisted of 156 helicopters.

  • 5 U.S. Marine Corps XHR2S-2 prototype helicopters (includes 1 ground only Static Test Article).
  • 55 U.S. Marine Corps CH-37C (HR2S-1) helicopters.
  • 2 U.S. Navy HR2S-1W Airborne Early Warning (AEW) helicopters
  • 94 U.S. Army CH-37A (H-37A) helicopters*

* 90 of the 94 CH-37A helicopters were remanufactured to the CH-37B configuration by Sikorsky Aircraft.

Military surplus S-56 helicopter were sold on the open market.  Keystone Helicopters purchased a large number of CH-37B and CH-37C helicopters and operated them under the Air Cranes subsidiary.

Related Models

Westland License

Westland Helicopters Ltd. of Yeovil, England added a license to build the Sikorsky S-56 helicopters to their existing license with Sikorsky Aircraft. No S-56 helicopters were built under license.  Westland did use the dynamic components from the S-56 to build a turbine powered model, the Westminster.

Westland Westminster

Using private funding, Westland developed a heavy lift transport with two 2,920 hp Napier Eland E220 turboshaft engines using the dynamic components from the Sikorsky S-56 helicopter.  Only 2 were built and the program was cancelled when Westland acquired all their competitors: Saunders-Roe, Bristol, and Fairey.  Since the Fairey Rotodyne was already flying and UK Government funded Westland cancelled the company funded Westminster program.

Fairey Rotodyne

The first Westminster WG.6 was an engineering test bed with a skeletal airframe with the crew cockpit forward.  First flight was June 15, 1958.  After initial test flights the 5 blade main rotor was replaced by a Sikorsky-supplied six blade main rotor.  The second Westminster prototype’s first flight was on September 4, 1959. The program was cancelled in September 1960.

  • S56-26
  • S56-27
  • S56-28
  • S56-29

Additional Information

Restored S-56 helicopters can be found on display at the following locations.

Location
S-56 On Display
Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
CH-37B Army Ser. No. 56-1005
U. S. Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker AL
CH-37B Army Serial No.55-0644
National Naval Aviation Museum Pensacola, FL
CH-37C Navy BuNo 145864
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, OR
CH-37B Army Ser. No. 58-0999
U. S. Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, VA
CH-37B Army Ser. No. 57-1651

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