Canadian Warplanes 7: Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King, RCN, Canadian Forces

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King

(U.S. Navy Photo, Lt. j.g. Brett Dawson)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4028), performing deck landing qualifications on board dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) during PANAMAX 2007.

The Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed for shipboard use by Canadian naval forces, based on the US Navy’s SH-3.  It served with the RCN and Canadian Armed Forces from 1963 to 2018.

The advent of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the late 1950s prompted RCN leaders to assess the new threat they posed. Although these craft were noisier than older submarines and could therefore be detected at longer ranges, they were also capable of 30 knots (56 km/h) while submerged, which was faster than the top speed of the RCN’s new St. Laurent-class destroyer escorts at 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h). Some RCN leaders harbored serious doubts that the destroyers could effectively pursue and destroy such fast vessels, even when operating in pairs. During a 25 February 1959 meeting of the Naval Board, it was decided that the Navy would counter the new threat by outfitting destroyers for helicopter operation.

The first of 41 helicopters would be delivered in 1963 carrying the designation CHSS-2 Sea King. The airframe components were made by Sikorsky in Connecticut but most CHSS-2s were assembled in Longueuil, Quebec, by United Aircraft of Canada (now Pratt & Whitney Canada), a subsidiary of Sikorsky’s parent company, United Aircraft. On 27 November 1963, the new landing platform aboard HMCS Assiniboine was used for the first operational destroyer landing of a production CHSS-2. Upon the unification of Canada’s military in 1968, the CHSS-2 was re-designated CH-124.

In the 1960s, the RCN developed a technique for landing the huge helicopters on small ship decks, using a ‘hauldown’ winch (called a “Beartrap”), earning aircrews the nickname of “Crazy Canucks”. The Beartrap allows recovery of the Sea King in virtually any sea state. In 1968, the RCN, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Army unified to form the Canadian Forces; air units were dispersed throughout the new force structure until Air Command (AIRCOM) was created in 1975. (Wikipedia)

During their service, Sea Kings were assigned to the Iroquois-class destroyers (2 per ship for a total of 6), Halifax-class frigates (1 per ship for a total of 12), and the Protecteur-class replenishment ships (3 per ship for a total 6) as a means of extending the surveillance capabilities beyond the horizon.  When deployed, each Sea King was accompanied by several crews. Each crew consisted of two pilots, a Tactical Coordinator (TACCO), and an Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AESOp).  In order to find submarines, the Sea King’s sonar used a transducer ball at the end of a 450-foot cable.  It could also be fitted with Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras to find surface vessels at night.

Sea Kings were flown by No. 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, No. 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, and by No. 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.

On 1 Dec 2018, the CH-124 was officially retired in a ceremony at Vancouver Island, British Columbia, concluding 55 years of service.  Of the surviving 28 Canadian Sea Kings, nine went to museums or are being displayed as monuments, 15 were sold, three were scrapped, and one is retained as a training aid.

Sikorsky S-61A, RCN CHSS-2, CH-124A, CH-124B, Sea King Helicopter (41), (Serial Nos. 4001-4041).

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4003).

(RCN Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4003), hauled down by a Bear Trap to a landing on the deck of HMCS Assiniboine (DDH 234), 25 May 1967.

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4004), CFB Trenton, Ontario, 1978.

(DND Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4005), 12405. The Panamanian Freighter “Tegean” broke in two when it ran aground at “The Sisters” off Halifax, on 28 Nov 1966. The crew was hoisted off by RCN Sea King 4005 (12405).

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4005).

(U.S. Navy Photo, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Raul Moreno Jr.)

A Royal Canadian Navy CH-124A Sea King helicopter (Serial No. 4005), lowers a crewmember onto the flight deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) while conducting a vertical replenishment during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4006).

(Dan Barnes Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4006).

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4007), CFB Summerside, Prince Edward Island, summer 1988.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4008).

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4008).

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4010).

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4010) and (Serial No. 4004), No. 443 Squadron in formation over Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1 Dec 2018.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4011).

(U.S. Navy Photo, Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph M. Buliavac)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4012), No. 443 Squadron, 23 June 2016.

 

(U.S. Navy Photo, Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph M. Buliavac)

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Joshua Evans directs a CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4012) assigned to Royal Canadian Air Force No. 443 Squadron to depart the flight deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), during deck landing qualifications in preparation for Rim of the Pacific 2016.

(Ronnie Robertson Photo)

Sikorsky  CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4012).

(Ronnie Robertson Photo)

Sikorsky  CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4012), 2015.

(John Davies – CYOW Airport Watch Photo)

Sikorsky  CH-124A Sea King helicopter (Serial No. 4012), 2004.

(Urban Mixer Photo)

Canadian Forces CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4012), HMCS Regina, 2009.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5056694)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4013), boarding party at sea, Dec 1990.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5056693)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4013), Dec 1990.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4221647)

Cpl. Lawrence Brown is shown standing by a fire fighting gun on top of the hangar of HMCS Preserver while HMCS Nipigon’s helicopter, Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4016), is landing on board during exercises with the NATO Forces in the Atlantic Ocean.

(U.S. Navy Photo, Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jimmy Lee)

A Search and Rescue swimmer practices personnel recovery operations with Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4016). Photo taken at sea from the USS Bataan (LHD-5) 9 Jan 2001.

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4017).

(RCN Photo BV70-208 via Mike Kaehler)

A day in the life of HMCS Bonaventure in 1970. You can see deck hands holding the rotor tie down ropes to steady them on Sikorsky HO4S (Serial No. 55875) as Sea King (Serial No. 4017) takes off behind it. At the tail of 55875 you can see a deck hand with flags is giving the Sea King pilot a “thumbs up” that he is clear of 55875. Another deck hand is walking away with the chocks and two are wearing firefighting gear. Note the large speakers on 55875 just above the rear landing gear. Looks like a small DC power cart by 55875.

(DND Photo via Jason Graveline)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4019), ca 1965-68.

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4022), on board HMCS St. Laurent, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1971.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4023).

(RCN Photos)

Canadian Vice Admiral Allan is being lowered from CAF Sea King (Serial No. 4023) onto, HMS Oden, an RN sub, in 1980.

(DND Photo)

Members of Maintenance Team 1 (MT1) tow Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4024) to the helicopter start-up area on the Inner Ramp Flight Line with a ‘Sellick 10 Ton Mule’. MT1 is part of 12 Air Maintenance Squadron (12 AMS). 24 July 2012, in Z Hangar at 12 Wing Shearwater.

(DND Photo)

Air Marshal F. R. Sharp DFC, CD RCAF, VDCS is lowered from a Sea King (4026) helicopter to HMCS Restigouche during his visit to Exercise Maple Spring taking place off Puerto Rico in 1966.

(RCN Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4027) over RCN de Havilland Tracker (Serial No. 1578), 1968.

(Author Photos)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4028), No. 423 Squadron, Connaught Range and Primary Training Centre, Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa, Ontario. 4028 was moved to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on 19 Dec 2019. It is currently on display in front of the NDHQ complex on Carling Avenue.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4032).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4032). Technicians spray protectant into a Sea King helicopter engine following a flight.

(CAF Photo via Sam Michaud)

HRH Prince William in the cockpit of Sea King (Serial No. 4036 “the Waterbird” immediately before his flight on Dalvay Lake, Prince Edward Island.

(RCAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King (Serial No. 4036) water landing on Dalvay Lake, PEI, during the Royal Visit of HRH Prince William in 2011. William is in the right seat. (Sam Michaud)

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Dramatic shot in 1972 of CAF Sea King (Serial No. 4039) of DDH 229, HMCS Ottawa (look at the FOD screen). It looks slippery with a wet deck, swells and rotor down wash as all the people standing on the HMCS Okanagan hold onto a rope as the helicopter approaches with a person on the hoist. What’s even more amazing is that in these conditions the person on the hoist and the Lt on the deck are wearing Oxford shoes! There is a swimmer (wet suit and flippers) and three crewmembers wearing heavy large black gloves. I am guessing that is due to the static build up of electricity in the helicopter and then touching the person on the hoist.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King (Serial No. 4040).

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King landing on HMCS Assiniboine (DDH 234), a St. Laurent-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from 1956 to 1988.

(Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)

Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King crew.

(USCG Photo)

USCG Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican (Serial No. 1430) on the water, illustrating the Pelican’s amphibious capability. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R. The S-61R served in the United States Air Force as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard as the HH-3F “Pelican”. (Wikipedia)

Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican (Serial No. 1432). Although it was not a Canadian Aircraft, RCAF Captain George Richard Burge DFC (US), was killed in a flying accident (KIFA) while on exchange with USCG Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts on 18 Feb 1979.