The HH-3 Jolly Green Giant was a long-range transport helicopter that performed key duties for the Air Force for 30 years. It served in both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. In Vietnam, the HH-3E built a legendary rescue record, plucking hundreds of warriors from enemy territory. The powerful Jolly Green Giant often fought its way through intense enemy fire to snatch downed airmen. Few combat jobs were as dangerous. The Air Force HH-3 was an offshoot of the basic Sikorsky SH-3 aircraft developed for the Navy and first flown in 1959. The SH-3 was adaptable to a wide variety of duties. The initial USAF versions essentially were utility versions of the SH-3. The first USAF-specific version featured a redesigned fuselage, a rear cargo ramp, and tricycle landing gear. The Air Force ordered 51 and then 84 new HH-3s designed specifically for combat search and rescue. Modifications included self-sealing fuel tanks, titanium armor plate, defensive weapons, external fuel tanks, jungle penetrator, and rescue hoist.
展开▼
机译：HH-3“欢乐绿色巨人”是一架远程运输直升机，为空军执行了30年的关键任务。它曾在越南战争和海湾战争中服役。在越南，HH-3E建立了传奇的救援记录，从敌方领土上招募了数百名战士。强大的乔利·格林巨人（Jolly Green Giant）经常在激烈的敌人火力中战斗，以夺取被击落的飞行员。很少有战斗工作如此危险。空军HH-3是为海军开发并于1959年首次飞行的基本西科斯基SH-3飞机的分支。SH-3可适应多种任务。最初的USAF版本实质上是SH-3的实用程序版本。美国空军的第一个特定版本具有重新设计的机身，后部货运坡道和三轮车起落架。空军订购了51架，然后订购了84架专门用于战斗搜索和救援的新型HH-3。改装包括自密封油箱，钛制防具板，防御性武器，外部油箱，丛林穿透器和救援葫芦。
展开▼
