Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave "Tired Dude"
As the helicopter matured, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement in 1951 for a helicopter capable of carrying an entire platoon of infantry. This was a tall order: the helicopters in common use at the time carried less than ten passengers. Sikorsky won the contract with its S-60 design, which was designated HR2S-1 in USMC service. After the HR2S-1 entered service in 1956, the US Army evaluated and bought it as the CH-37 Mojave.
Though the Mojave was capable of carrying a full platoon, Sikorsky anticipated that it would be used for cargo purposes as well. With this in mind, the two engines--a first for Sikorsky--were moved into pods outboard of the fuselage, leaving the interior open for cargo that could be loaded through the clamshell doors in the nose. The US Navy modified two as experimental airborne early warning helicopters, but were not put into production due to its slow speed.
Though the Mojave was a sound design. they were obsolete almost as soon as they entered service: it used piston engines for powerplant. Turboshaft-equipped helicopters were far more fuel efficient and lighter; as a result, turboshaft UH-1 Iroquois and CH-47 Chinooks could carry almost as much as the CH-37 at half the cost. The Mojave did enjoy a small resurgence in the twilight of its career, when several were deployed to Vietnam as heavy lift helicopters, but even these were quickly replaced by the turboshaft-powered Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe/Skycrane. Of 154 CH-34s produced, six remain in museums.
58-1005 was delivered to the US Army in 1960, eventually to the 54th Transportation Company at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1962, it was transferred to the 591st Transport Company in West Germany, but would serve most of its overseas career with the 90th Aviation Company at Illesheim, where it acquired its nickname of "Tired Dude." In 1969, it returned home and ended its career with the 1-105th Aviation Company (Iowa National Guard), where it was retired in 1972. 58-1005 was then donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum.
"Tired Dude" does look a little tired: its markings and paint have faded a bit, and the engine inspection panels are open on both engines. The bright blue and white checkerboards are the state colors of Bavaria; they were awarded to 58-1005 after the helicopter helped rescue people trapped in heavy flooding in 1964.
EDIT (2022): Pima has since repainted "Tired Dude," and it looks a lot less tired now. I've replaced my 2019 picture with this one taken in June 2022.
Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave "Tired Dude"
As the helicopter matured, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement in 1951 for a helicopter capable of carrying an entire platoon of infantry. This was a tall order: the helicopters in common use at the time carried less than ten passengers. Sikorsky won the contract with its S-60 design, which was designated HR2S-1 in USMC service. After the HR2S-1 entered service in 1956, the US Army evaluated and bought it as the CH-37 Mojave.
Though the Mojave was capable of carrying a full platoon, Sikorsky anticipated that it would be used for cargo purposes as well. With this in mind, the two engines--a first for Sikorsky--were moved into pods outboard of the fuselage, leaving the interior open for cargo that could be loaded through the clamshell doors in the nose. The US Navy modified two as experimental airborne early warning helicopters, but were not put into production due to its slow speed.
Though the Mojave was a sound design. they were obsolete almost as soon as they entered service: it used piston engines for powerplant. Turboshaft-equipped helicopters were far more fuel efficient and lighter; as a result, turboshaft UH-1 Iroquois and CH-47 Chinooks could carry almost as much as the CH-37 at half the cost. The Mojave did enjoy a small resurgence in the twilight of its career, when several were deployed to Vietnam as heavy lift helicopters, but even these were quickly replaced by the turboshaft-powered Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe/Skycrane. Of 154 CH-34s produced, six remain in museums.
58-1005 was delivered to the US Army in 1960, eventually to the 54th Transportation Company at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1962, it was transferred to the 591st Transport Company in West Germany, but would serve most of its overseas career with the 90th Aviation Company at Illesheim, where it acquired its nickname of "Tired Dude." In 1969, it returned home and ended its career with the 1-105th Aviation Company (Iowa National Guard), where it was retired in 1972. 58-1005 was then donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum.
"Tired Dude" does look a little tired: its markings and paint have faded a bit, and the engine inspection panels are open on both engines. The bright blue and white checkerboards are the state colors of Bavaria; they were awarded to 58-1005 after the helicopter helped rescue people trapped in heavy flooding in 1964.
EDIT (2022): Pima has since repainted "Tired Dude," and it looks a lot less tired now. I've replaced my 2019 picture with this one taken in June 2022.