CH53D
SASLESS
Prior to the introduction of the Chinook on the North Sea, the idea of a civilian CH53 was mooted. Sikorsky apparently said that if 25 were ordered they would undertake the work necessary for civil certification. We never heard anything officially but Jock Cameron, BAH boss toured the worlds operators trying to drum up the orders but there were insufficient takers. I spoke to a Sikorsky rep in ABZ, late seventies, and he said that the CH53 was the best aircraft they had ever built. Shortly after the Chinook deal was done. Great aircraft, I flew it for three years.
For what thats all worth.