At 73 feet in length, the “Jolly Green Giant,” as it is lovingly known, is one of the largest helicopters employed by the U.S. military.
During the Vietnam War, the US Air Force used the CH-3E for troop, cargo, and medical transport. The CH-3E could carry either 25 fully equipped troops, 15 patients on stretchers, or 5,000 pounds of cargo.
In 1973, all US Air Force combat helicopter crews trained at Hill Air Force Base with the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing. Hill instructors used 68 helicopters, 6 fixed-wing HC-130s, and simulators to train over 2,000 United States military members and foreign students in flying proficiency for such helicopters as the CH-3E and H-53 Super Jolly helicopters. The 1550th was the largest tenant unit on base until it was transferred to Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, on 15 March 1976.
The CH-3E on display served in Southeast Asia before being transferred to Hill Air Force Base and fitted with a Mid-Air Recovery System to safely recover drones. In 1991, the aircraft was put on display at the Hill Aerospace Museum.
Many CH-3Es were modified for combat rescue missions with armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, a rescue hoist and in-flight refueling capability. They were redesignated HH-3Es and used extensively in Vietnam under the nickname “Jolly Green Giant.”
Serial Number: 65-12790
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Primary Function: Transport, Combat Search and Rescue
Crew: Three
Engines: Two General Electric T58-GE-5 turboshaft engines; 1,500 horsepower each
Wingspan: Main Rotor Diameter: 62 ft; Width: 15 ft 3 in
Length: 73 ft
Height: 18 ft 1 in
Weight: 13,255 lbs (empty); 22,050 lbs (maximum)
Speed: 154 mph (cruising); 177 mph (maximum)
Range: 779 miles
Service Ceiling: 21,000 ft
Armament: Provisions for two .50-caliber machine guns
Cost: $796,000 (approximate)
Years of Service: 1963 – 1995
The CH-3E was manufactured in 1966 and equipped to carry either twenty-five, fully-equipped troops, fifteen patients on stretchers or 5,000 pounds of cargo for use during the Vietnam War. Many CH-3E aircraft were later converted to the HH-3E, a titanium-armored version for combat rescue of downed pilots, dubbed the “Jolly Green Giant.”
In 1973, CH-3E helicopters were assigned to Hill Air Force Base to train all United States Air Force (USAF) combat helicopter crews. In the late 1970s, two helicopter simulators were used by Hill Air Force Base to train over 2,000 US and foreign students in flying proficiency for the Jolly Green Giant and Super Jolly helicopters. The CH-3E on display was manufactured in 1966 and served in Southeast Asia. In 1976, it was transferred to Hill Air Force Base and fitted with a Mid-Air Recovery System to safely recover drones. In 1991, the aircraft was put on display at Hill Aerospace Museum.
At 73 feet in length, the “Jolly Green Giant,” as it is lovingly known, is one of the largest helicopters employed by the U.S. military.
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation makes both the civilian and military variants of the Sea King line of helicopters.
The Jolly Green Giant could carry 25 fully loaded troops or up to 5,000 pounds of cargo.
A new variant of the CH-3E, the CH-53E is the largest military helicopter in the U.S. military.