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1/72 SIKORSKY HH-3E HELICOPTER USAF SAR JOLLY GREEN GIANT KIT H-144 VIETNAM WAR
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Additional Information from Internet Encyclopedia
The U.S. Air Force developed the
Sikorsky HH-3E helicopter, nicknamed the "Jolly Green Giant," to
perform combat search and rescue (CSAR) to recover downed Airmen during the
Southeast Asia War. A highly modified version of Sikorsky's CH-3 transport
helicopter, the HH-3E carried both armor plating and armament to protect it
from hostile forces during rescues of aircrews in a combat area.
Fifty CH-3Es were converted to
HH-3Es with the addition of armor, defensive armament, self-sealing fuel tanks
and a rescue hoist. With a watertight hull, the HH-3E could land on water, and
its large rear door and ramp permitted easy loading and unloading.
The first air-refuelable
helicopter to be produced, the HH-3E's retractable fuel probe and external fuel
tanks gave it a range limited only by the endurance of the aircrew. In fact, in
1967, two aerial refueled HH-3Es set the long-distance record for helicopters
by flying non-stop from New York to Paris, France. This long-range capability
allowed HH-3Es to conduct CSAR operations anywhere in the Southeast Asia
theater of operations, and they participated in the attempt to rescue American
prisoners of war from the Son Tay prison camp in 1970.
The first USAF HH-3Es arrived in
Vietnam in 1967, and they operated out of Udorn Air Base, Thailand, and Da Nang
Air Base, South Vietnam. During the Southeast Asia War, HH-3 crewmen were
awarded one Medal of Honor, twenty-four Air Force Crosses, and over 190 Silver
Stars. A quarter of a century later, HH-3Es participated in OPERATION DESERT
STORM, and they provided rescue support in the early years of the Space Shuttle
program. The USAF retired its last HH-3Es by 1995.
The Sikorsky HH-3E on display
(serial number 67-14709) had a long and distinguished history. Assigned to the
37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, it
flew with the call sign Jolly Green 22 in the Southeast Asia War.
On March 14, 1968, a two-ship
helicopter rescue team attempted to rescue the aircrew of a U.S. Marine Corps
F-4 Phantom shot down over North Vietnam. One of the two crewmen was picked up,
but heavy enemy machine-gun fire forced the rescuers to withdraw before saving
the second Marine. Enemy fire had damaged Jolly Green 22, but its crew made a
second attempt to rescue the stranded Marine. Meanwhile, the North Vietnamese
had killed the Marine and set up an ambush for the returning rescuers. Despite
intense enemy fire, Jolly Green 22 escaped the trap with 68 bullet holes, a
shot-out windshield, and holes through the rotor blades.
For their efforts, the four crew
members of Jolly Green 22 were nominated for the Air Force Cross, but instead,
only three of the crew -- the pilot, Maj. Stuart Hoag; the copilot, Lt. Col.
Gerald Lowe; and pararescueman Sgt. James Locker -- received Silver Stars. The
flight engineer, Sgt. Dennis Richardson, who dangerously exposed himself to enemy
fire and probably saved the helicopter, received the Purple Heart. However, the
Air Force reviewed the documentation of the mission, and in 2008, retired Chief
Master Sgt. Richardson received the Air Force Cross for his actions under fire
in 1968.
During the 32 months this
helicopter -- also known as "709" from its serial number -- served in
Southeast Asia, the crewmen assigned to it received one Air Force Cross and
fourteen Silver Stars for heroism. In addition, they were credited with the rescue
of 27 American Airmen.
After the war, "709"
participated in another daring rescue mission in the Yellow Sea. On the night
of March 30-31, 1979, Maj. James E. McArdle, Jr., and his crew flew this
helicopter to save 28 sailors from the Taiwanese freighter Ta Lai after it ran
aground. Fighting 15-foot waves and high winds, the HH-3E crew made three trips
delivering the Taiwanese sailors to Kwangju Air Base, South Korea. For this
rescue, McArdle received received the 1979 MacKay Trophy, which is awarded for
the most meritorious flight of the year by an Air Force person, persons or
organization.
Retired after OPERATION DESERT
STORM in 1991.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Crew: Four (pilot, copilot,
flight mechanic/engineer and gunner)
Armament: Two 7.62mm M60 machine
guns
Engine: Two General Electric
T58-GE-5 engines of 1,500 hp each
Maximum speed: 177 mph
Cargo: 25 passengers or 15
litters and two attendants