Welcome
to the Sikorsky HRS Gallery
Here is where you will find interesting
and indepth looks at various aspects of the
Sikorsky HRS helicopter - updated
with something new every month or two.
The
HRS in COLOR
Distinctive in their overall Glossy Sea Blue paint with
white lettering; Marine HRS helicopters certainly stood out in
a crowd.
Finding photographs of them in color though, is not
so easy. Here is a gallery of HRS's in glorious kodachrome!
With it's
capacity to carry up to eight combat equipped Marines, the HRS proved
it's capabilities in Korea. Here, HRS-1's of HMR-161 offload Marines
and supplies.
In the foreground is BuNo127801, callsign (using
the phonetic alphabet of the time) How Roger Two. Behind it is BuNo127785,
How Roger One, and a third, unidentified HRS-1.
Photographic
evidence would indicate that the HRS's were delivered from Sikorsky with
the word MARINES and the block containing type (HRS-1/2/3), MARINES,
and the Bureau Number applied at the factory. Squadron markings and
ID would be applied when assigned and upon acceptance to the squadron.
Marines climb
aboard an HRS, likely on exercise in the California desert or within
the sprawling confines of Camp Pendleton.
Notice that 'MARINES'
has been moved from the forward portion of the boom to the aft fuselage
and the font no longer has stencil lines. This change appears to have
been implemented with the introduction of the HRS-2.
Somewhat blurry, but still a great
close-up of HRS-2, BuNo130197 with HMR-163. Formed on 1 December 1951,
HMR-163 was the third of the "West Coast" helicopter transport squadrons
and this photograph is likely taken at their base, Marine Corps Air
Facility, Santa Ana. Today, the base is closed and one of the two
giant blimp hangars on the property is slated for demolition. Visit
here at Paul Freeman's site for more information.
It
would appear that some consideration was given to further identifying
assigned squadrons with the addition of unique paint colors applied
to the cockpit canopy aft section.
On the right, How-Peter Seven
of HMR-163 sports a white aft canopy. Also notice the addition of
the white 'V' on the nose as well as the national insignia atop the
boom.
Below, HRS-3 How-Sugar Four, BuNo130260 of HMR-162
displays a red aft canopy section.
Finally, both the above photograph and the photo on the right
of How-Roger Nine of HMR-161, display the 33 inch wide, gloss
Orange-Yellow warning stripe which was painted around the tail
in front of the tail rotor arc. It contained a warning arrow in gloss
Insignia Red and the words, DANGER/ KEEP AWAY in gloss Black.
