Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

1. Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King Marker

Inscription. The Hickory Aviation Museum's Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King was flown from Anti-submarine Squadron Five, HS-5, NAS Jacksonville, Florida in December 1994 to the Quonset Air Museum. Presently it is on loan to the Hickory Aviation Museum from the National Museum of Naval Aviation.

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Model S-61
Designation: SH-3 Version: H
Nickname: Sea King
Type: Carrier-based anti-submarine warfare
Navy Bureau Number: 149739
Crew: 4
Date Deployed: First flight: March 1959; Operational: June 1961

Functions by assignment
UH-3H, VH-3H (HC-2) Helo combat support
SH-3H (HC-85) Utility and torpedo recovery
SH-3H (HC-75) Carrier-based anti-submarine warfare, reserve squadron stationed stationed at NAS Quonset Point
SH-3H (NAS Oceana) Search and rescue

The H-3H is a twin engine, all weather, multi-purpose helicopter. It's first flight was more than 60 years ago. The SH-3H is used to detect, classify, track and destroy enemy submarines. It also provides logistic support and search and rescue capability. The UH-3H and VH-3 are configured for combat support roles. The first version of this workhorse helicopter was flown more than 20 years ago. The Sea King is being replaced by SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopters as an inti-submarine

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warfare helicopter. The transition lasted into the late 1990s. The Sea King will be converted into a search and rescue helicopter.

General characteristics
Length: 73 ft
Fuselage length: 54 ft 9 in
Height: 17 ft
Rotor diameter: 62 ft
Weight: 11,865 lbs empty
Maximum takeoff weight: 21,000 lbs
Power plant: 2 General Electric T-58-GE-10 turboshaft engines

Performance
Range: 542 nautical miles (623.3 statute miles)
Ceiling: 14,700 ft
Cruising speed: 136 mph
Armament: 4 Mk-46 torpedoes, 2 M-60 machine guns

Erected by Hickory Aviation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1959.

Location. 35° 44.509′ N, 81° 23.371′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles west of 24th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The marker and aircraft display are part of the Hickory Aviation Museum located at Hickory Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 9th Ave Drive NW, Hickory NC 28601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American

Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

2. Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King and Marker

South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: P-3 Orion (here, next to this marker); Grumman OV-1D Mohawk (here, next to this marker); Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" (a few steps from this marker); Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" (within shouting distance of this marker); Grumann F-9 "Cougar" (within shouting distance of this marker); North American FJ-3 "Fury" (within shouting distance of this marker); Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

3. Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.