Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe. Photo. Characteristics. 

USA

A type: Heavy vertolet- "flying crane"

Crew: A crew of three and folding seats for two loaders / technicians

Helicopter CH-54 «Tax» (Tarhe), designed specifically as a flying crane, started life at the end of 1950-ies as the first of its type helicopter built with the replacement of the fuselage on a thin beam, which leaves, as much as possible free to ensure the placement of oversized cargo in the center of the helicopter. The helicopter was piloted by a crew of three (with two additional folding seats), one of whom had sat facing backwards to oversee and manage the cargo hooks and winches.

At 1962-1963, Sikorsky built six pre-production YCH-54A helicopters, five of which were transferred to the Fort Benning assessment tests. Soon the company received an order for 54 helicopter modification A, the first of which were introduced into the army operation at the end of 1964. Then it was delivered 37 helicopters CH-54V. These improved Tach helicopters had boosted engines and a chassis with paired wheels. At Sikorsky, the army also purchased a series of specially created universal military containers, which accommodated 46 soldiers or up to 24 stretchers. Some of them were equipped as mobile command posts, communication centers or surgical hospitals.

Helicopters "Tah" is widely used in Vietnam as part of 478-second aviation company to support the first airmobile division. During his participation in the war, they were used to transport M114 howitzers, armored vehicles, bulldozers, troops and more than 380 damaged aircraft. Finally were decommissioned Army National Guard in the early 1990-ies, most of them appeared in the civil register as a US utility helicopters.

Basic data

dimensions:

Length: 21,41 m

Main rotor diameter: 21,95 m

Height: 7,75 m

Aircraft performance characteristics:

Maximum speed: 203 km / h

Flight range: 370 km

The weight:

Empty: 8724 kg

Maximum takeoff: 19 050 kg

Power point: Two turboshaft engine T73-1 (on CH-54A) or T73-700 (on CH-54V) companies "Pratt & Whitney"

Power: 9000 l. from. (6711 kW) and 9600 l. from. (4563 kW), respectively,

Date of first flight:

May 9, 1962

The surviving airworthy modifications: CH 54A / In and S-54E