CH-37C DEUCE USMC

The Sikorsky CH-37 (another designation: S-56) was an American-made twin-engine heavy transport helicopter with a metal structure, in a classic configuration with a main rotor and a tail rotor on the beam. The drive was provided by two R-2800-54 engines, 2100 HP each. The flight of the first prototype took place in 1953, and serial production began in 1956. It is estimated that about 150 copies of the helicopter ego were built. The Sikorsky CH-37 was commissioned by the US Marine Corps, which needed a machine that could carry 25-30 armed soldiers. Later, due to the good properties of the prototypes, the US Army also became interested in the project. Several development versions of the CH-37 were produced in the course of serial production. One of the most widely produced was the version of the H-37A Mojave, developed for use by the US Army. It had a slightly changed hull compared to the original version. Another was an early warning helicopter for the US Navy, designated HR2S-1W. It is worth noting that the CH-37 was one of the last helicopters in the US military to be powered by radial engines. Due to the low performance of this type of engines - compared to turboshaft engines - all CH-37s were withdrawn from service by the end of the 1960s.