General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

2

Total Parts

5

AKA

FOD deflector/FOD mod

Patents

N/A

General Description

Synthetic deflector with metal parts.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

136.0 cm

Width

116.0 cm

Height

57.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Aviation

Category

Aircraft parts

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Unknown

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Used during 2018 farewell flight. Previous use unknown.

Canada

The Sea King owes its origins to a virtually revolutionary concept submitted to the United States Navy in 1957 by the Sikorsky Aircraft division of the American aeronautical giant United Aircraft. Delivered from 1961, the Sea King was one of the most advanced helicopters of its time. Powerful, fast, rugged and reliable, it has been adopted by the armed forces of many countries, including Canada. United Aircraft of Canada, another United Aircraft subsidiary, assembles almost all Sea Kings ordered by the Canadian military - a Canadian first. The Sea King donated to the museum is one of those flown by Brigadier-General Lise Bourgon for over 20 years. Throughout her career spanning just over 30 years, this Quebecer did much to increase the rights and responsibilities of women in the Canadian Armed Forces. The country's first lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier-general, Bourgon is also the first woman to command a squadron, after becoming the first woman to command an operational squadron equipped with Sea Kings. This Sea King was still operational in 2018, more than 50 years after it entered service. The features that have made the Sea King such a success around the world have led to the development of civilian versions, the world's first helicopters designed specifically for passenger transport. A well-known Canadian user was Okanagan Helicopters, at one time the world's largest civilian helicopter operator.

Function

Installed in front of the engines on the Sea King, above the cabin, to deflect debris or objects that could damage the engines while in flight.

Technical

The Sikorsky S-61 family of military and civil helicopters is one of the most successful and versatile of the 20th century. The Sea King is the world's first helicopter to carry both sonar equipment and torpedoes. In the past, anti-submarine helicopters worked in duos, with one helicopter carrying the sonar equipment and the other the torpedoes or depth charges. The Sea King is also the first helicopter to feature an automatic/motorized main rotor blade folding mechanism - an invaluable asset when operating from relatively small warships. It is also one of the world's first amphibious helicopters. The success of this helicopter in Canada is closely linked to the development of a rapid deck landing and tie-down system that enables it to land in bad weather. This technology, often known as the Beartrap and much improved over the decades, is among the most important naval combat innovations of the 20th century in Canada. The navies of at least twelve countries in Oceania, Europe, Asia and the Americas, including the USA, use these Canadian devices.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

On the proper front: "423SQUADRON/ 12W/ SHEARWATER/ GALBRAITH/ 14"/ On the proper left and right are inscribed names. See photos./ Inside, on both sides of a divider fin in white: "DISCONNECT FOD HEATER/ BEFORE FOD MOD REMOVAL"

Missing

Appears complete

Finish

Exterior is painted a glossy medium grey on the proper top and sides and has a painted scene on the proper front of black and yellow eagle claws in a blue sky with white clouds, grasping a black submarine in the green-coloured water. There are yellow markings and a black signature. On the proper left and right are several names written in black marker. The proper back and interior are painted black with white markings.

Decoration

N/A