SP-SSH Schweizer 269D Model 333 c/n 0018 - heliport Emmen in Holland - 27 January 2006

The first of two prototypes of the two-seat Hughes Model 269 helicopter flew first in October 1956, only 13 months after commencement of design work. The basic design sparked US Army interest to order 5, designated YHO-2-HU, for evaluation. As a result Hughes won a US Army contract for a light helicopter primary trainer and 792 were built as the TH55A Osage. Deliveries of the commercial Model 269A, designated Hughes 200, started in 1961. The three-seat Model 269B, designated Hughes 300, flew first in 1964. In 1969, the 300 was followed by the improved Model 269C, designated Hughes 300C. Since 1983 Schweizer has built the 269C/300C, initially under licence for Hughes. Schweizer Aircraft Corp. acquired all rights to the helicopter in 1986. To join in the 1990 U.S.Army NTH competition for the TH-55 replacement, Schweizer Aircraft Co. developed the 269D out of the 269 basic design. The 269D uses the 269 airframe, has an enlarged cabin and is powered by an Allison 250 turboshaft engine. Schweizer markets the 269D as Model 330. An evolutionary development with upgraded dynamic systems components, new-technology rotor blades with cambered airfoil and larger diameter is the Model 333. The Schweizer 333 is featuring more gross weight, more useful load, more speed and more hover performance. On 28 September 2000, Schweizer achieved FAA-certification for the Model 333. In 2005, Schweizer Aircraft Corp. became a wholly owned Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. subsidiary. In 2009, Sikorsky Aircraft announced the creation of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a business unit made up of the manufacturer’s commercial products, including the S-76, S-92 and H-92 platforms, as well as the Schweizer helicopter line. As part of the rebranding of the commercial products, the S-300C, S-300CBi, S-333 and S-434 helicopters will no longer retain the Schweizer name. Schweizer Model 333 helicopters manufactured after February 2009, will be known as Sikorsky S-333 helicopters.

Schweizer 269D Model 330 c/n 0018 was built in 1997 and test flown with the temporary registration N69A. On 20 June 1997, the helicopter was registered HB-XJT in Switzerland with Fuchs Helikopter. After the helicopter was sold to a Polish operator the registration HB-XJT was cancelled on 7 March 2000. The aircraft was registered SP-SSH with its new owner in Poland. In January 2006, the SP-SSH was upgraded by Heli Holland Technics to a Schweizer 269D Model 333. The SP-SSH was photographed at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands. On 11 April 2006, the SP-SSH was DBR due to an accident. The registration SP-SSH was cancelled on 12 September 2006.