YF65_CH53E Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Todays selections: CH-53A testing the FLIR systems up at Warminster PA. A different pic of the CH-53A RAVE program aircraft with out the writing on it: Picture of newly acquired HH-53C from the USAF painted in "presumably" USAF delivery colors, "MARINES" added, as well as "MX-23", so this would be Nighthawk-23 (USMC BuNo : 157930) sitting on the White House lawn for the early testing: As far as the research I have done, NO USMC CH-53D's were ever delivered with the low profile angled drop tanks. As you can see this 53 has them installed. So this is the HH-53C that HMX-1 took delivery of for the purposes of utilizing the CH-53 platform for their VIP mission. This test program eventually lead to HMX-1 having the CH-53D for their "Green Side" mission, as in a support role for VIP missions vice the primary lifter, which the VH-3 took over for the VH-34's. Now we have another...or the same aircraft, as I can not tell the BuNo, HH-53C performing an external lift at Quantico VA, and the aircraft is painted in the "Green Side" livery of overall gloss Marine Corps Green, with UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS in gloss white with gloss white/gold stripping. No tail code designator, and American Flag on engine cowls. Note the no EAPS on both photos. Nicer quality shot of this pic: Fun stuff!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Thanks for starting this great thread. You have obviously invested a lot of time in research and it shows. Have you any info on the rear cabin interior layout of the 6594th HH-53Cs used to recover satellite camera film capsules in the 70's and 80's, based in Hawai'i? I am interested in that for a future modelling project. Thanks. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) On 1/5/2021 at 10:52 PM, YF65_CH53E said: As far as the research I have done, NO USMC CH-53D's were ever delivered with the low profile angled drop tanks. As you can see this 53 has them installed. So this is the HH-53C that HMX-1 took delivery of for the purposes of utilizing the CH-53 platform for their VIP mission. At least three of the HMX-1 aircraft carried the early external tanks - as well as 157930, I have photos of both 157755 and 756 with them, including this one of 755 landing on USS John F Kennedy with President and Mrs Reagan aboard, thereby being 'Marine One' for the occasion: Edited March 29, 2023 by andyf117 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 2 hours ago, andyf117 said: At least three of the HMX-1 aircraft carried the early external tanks - as well as 157930, I have photos of both 157755 and 756 with them, including this one of 755 landing on USS John F Kennedy with President and Mrs Reagan aboard, thereby being 'Marine One' for the occasion: These early HMX-1 53’s were USAF HH-53C’s that were brought over to the USMC via an inter service transfer. The marine corps didn’t order them per se, on a sole contract. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 4 hours ago, Loach Driver said: Thanks for starting this great thread. You have obviously invested a lot of time in research and it shows. Have you any info on the rear cabin interior layout of the 6594th HH-53Cs used to recover satellite camera film capsules in the 70's and 80's, based in Hawai'i? I am interested in that for a future modelling project. Thanks. LD. LD, i may may have some interior shots of this 53. I found awhile ago a walk around some one did of this very aircraft on display at an air show in Hawaii. I am not sure if the doors were open or not. I will post the ones I have. Gy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clinstone Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 5 hours ago, Loach Driver said: Thanks for starting this great thread. You have obviously invested a lot of time in research and it shows. Have you any info on the rear cabin interior layout of the 6594th HH-53Cs used to recover satellite camera film capsules in the 70's and 80's, based in Hawai'i? I am interested in that for a future modelling project. Thanks. LD. Ref https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a248695.pdf Quote Once the HH-53,'s were introduced, surface recovery was accomplished as follows. After the HH-53 arrived on the scene, two pararecovery specialists were dropped into the water, along with a flotation collar and sling harness. The pararecovery specialists fitted the harness to the capsule, the HH-53 lowered a winchline, and the pararecovery people attached the winchline to a lift ring on the harness. The capsule was then winched aboard the helicopter and transported to Hawaii. The winchline and other hardware that allowed the helicopter to perform surface recovery was called the Surface Recovery System (SRS). The SRS was designed by engineering people inthe Test Group itself and built from off-the-shelf components by the Warner-Robbins Air Logistics Center. Warner-Robbins also modified the H-53,'s and installed the recovery systems in them. This video has some forward interior and ramp shots Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 5 hours ago, YF65_CH53E said: LD, i may may have some interior shots of this 53. I found awhile ago a walk around some one did of this very aircraft on display at an air show in Hawaii. I am not sure if the doors were open or not. I will post the ones I have. Gy If yours are the same set of pics from the thread below, none show any of the interior, sadly - I'd quite like some myself! To save you re-posting, the originals are here: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) I'll throw in some more pics, this time a mini-walkaround of CH-53E 161988, assigned to HC-4 at NAS Sigonella, Sicily - photographed at the only RIAT to be held at Boscombe Down, in 1990. I very nearly had a trip in one of the HC-4 birds which were TDY at RAF Mildenhall in June that year in support of USS Dwight D Eisenhower, participating in the 'Journey to Victory' D-Day anniversary - I was all lined up to fly down and visit the ship in the English Channel along with a number of NAF and USAF personnel, courtesy of the NAF Commander... ....the night before, I got a message telling me I'd been 'bumped' by a full-bird Colonel - but I still got to go aboard, when the ship was anchored off Portsmouth, though that was by way of one of the 'liberty boats' taking crew back and forth for runs ashore... Edited January 6, 2021 by andyf117 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 OK, I will remove the section with HMH-772 then 🙂 Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 12 hours ago, Clinstone said: Ref https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a248695.pdf This video has some forward interior and ramp shots Thanks for those links. I had that PDF from a while back and it mentions some details for the rear cabin. The interesting thing was mention of a "crew comfort" area that consisted of a galley and three airliner-style seats. Behind that was an auxiliary fuel tank and behind that again was the winch system and cradle that was used to recover the satellite capsule. Would make for an interesting model! LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 I have not seen any interior shots of this airplane in my stash. I have reached out to a USAF Flight Engineer buddy and he has an amazing collection of USAF 53 photos. He may come through for us. Mean time here is an interesting shot of a HH-53C recovering a full capsule: Two different missions here, but amazing inflight recovery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 More interesting H-53 project photos: FLIR Testing 1980's Nice nose art CH-53D USAF TH-53A Andy, Major Dan Spurlock pictured here was in NAS Pensacola when you couldve taken those photos? HMX-1 VH-53D, 157166 CH-53E lifting a USN A-5 "Viggie", big lift for us.... CH-53E, with centerline seating installed, taking the troop count up to 55!! We rarely fly with these centerlines installed as they are not crash attenuating. As you can see, it can be done. during the evacuation of Saigon, the CH-53D and USAF HH-53C's carried much more than 55, but they were not seated and strapped in. Mostly standing room only, to get them to safety as fast as possible. USMC HX-21 CH-53E 163086, rigged up to do some test work at PAX River MD. Nice shot of a testing POD attached to the right hand sponson. Be fun to build....the No 1 engine cowling is painted gray, as it is a new designed cowling being tested for wear and tear. These CH-53E engine cowlings are extremely labor intensive and require a ton of maintenance to keep them from falling off the aircraft. This new design was submitted by an independent company not affiliated with Sikorsky. The cowlings were extremely durable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 Another Desert Storm pic: HMHT-302 "Phoenix" putting their birds inside for upcoming inclement weather: Interesting picture here, a USMC CH-53D, from HMH-463 YH-12 conducting mine sweeping operations in Hai Phong Harbor during SEA: All CH-53D's and RH-53D's would have the capability to install the Mk-105 towed array gear for mine sweeping as depicted here in this photo. All the aircraft under Navy/Marine contracts were configured for minesweeping. 1. Mirror attach points 2. Sled attach points behind cargo ramp 3. Overhead hydraulics access for the streaming winch to tow the sled The CH/MH-53E's were also configured this way. From the factory the CH/MH had all of the necessary attach points to convert USMC CH's to MH's and vice versa. Even the attach points for the large MH-53E fuel sponsons can be seen on Marine CH-53E's. Circled in black are the attach points on a USMC CH-53E for the large sponsons: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, YF65_CH53E said: Mean time here is an interesting shot of a HH-53C recovering a full capsule: That's actually a HH-53B, Dan, as evidenced by the struts to the external tank pylon supports... 1 hour ago, YF65_CH53E said: Andy, Major Dan Spurlock pictured here was in NAS Pensacola when you couldve taken those photos? Maj Spurlock was my 'host'! That photo's dated just a couple of weeks after my visit... Edited January 6, 2021 by andyf117 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 Andy, excellent catch, my mistake HH-53B with sponson struts!! Gy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Interesting picture here, a USMC CH-53D, from HMH-463 YH-12 conducting mine sweeping operations in Hai Phong Harbor during SEA: All CH-53D's and RH-53D's would have the capability to install the Mk-105 towed array gear for mine sweeping as depicted here in this photo. All the aircraft under Navy/Marine contracts were configured for minesweeping. 1. Mirror attach points 2. Sled attach points behind cargo ramp 3. Overhead hydraulics access for the streaming winch to tow the sled Gunny, This is actually one of the last 15 CH-53As off the production line fitted with the uprated 3925 shp T64-GE-413 engines for the airborne mine countermeasures (minesweeper) role for the US Navy. They were used by HM-12 at Haiphong. Later, when replaced by the RH-53D, they were returned to the Marines minus the sweep gear, of course. As an aside, I helped build the Helis.com/database website. Especially, the Sikorsky and Piasecki/Boeing-Vertol products. Check it out. S/f, Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 On 12/27/2020 at 8:57 PM, YF65_CH53E said: Some USAF love here, Anyone know what is installed on the right hand sponson of this HH-53C? Where are my PAVE CAVE boys at? Well, that’s an interesting -53. Maybe that’s an early IR jammer? What’s PAVE CAVE all about? Never heard of that program before. Thanks for taking the time to post all these cool pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 8 minutes ago, Dutch said: Interesting picture here, a USMC CH-53D, from HMH-463 YH-12 conducting mine sweeping operations in Hai Phong Harbor during SEA: All CH-53D's and RH-53D's would have the capability to install the Mk-105 towed array gear for mine sweeping as depicted here in this photo. All the aircraft under Navy/Marine contracts were configured for minesweeping. 1. Mirror attach points 2. Sled attach points behind cargo ramp 3. Overhead hydraulics access for the streaming winch to tow the sled Gunny, This is actually one of the last 15 CH-53As off the production line fitted with the uprated 3925 shp T64-GE-413 engines for the airborne mine countermeasures (minesweeper) role for the US Navy. They were used by HM-12 at Haiphong. Later, when replaced by the RH-53D, they were returned to the Marines minus the sweep gear, of course. As an aside, I helped build the Helis.com/database website. Especially, the Sikorsky and Piasecki/Boeing-Vertol products. Check it out. S/f, Dutch Dutch, I know of the -413 engine upgrades to our CH-53A's thus turning them into CH-53D's. Or, as you said they were on the line at SAC and received -413 as it went out the door. I know of the Marine CH's going over to HM-12 for the Haiphong missions. As you can see the aircraft is modexed in HMH-463 side number, and YH tail code, so it went to Pegasus first then over to the HM guys for Haiphong missions. Operation End Sweep correct? I guess my point in posting the picture is to show that the later CH-53A/D's delivered to the Marines had MCM attach points and hook ups and as you said could go over to the Navy for sweeping role. Plus the fact that the CH-53E's had sweep capability as well. I have never seen a picture though of a Marine or Navy CH pulling the gear......that would be kinda cool to see, a CH hauling around the MCM gear with aux tanks and a stubby ramp.... Heli's is a great site, lots of good work over there, love the references. Great Job!! rest of the RH-53A, MCM article: r/Gunny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 23 minutes ago, 11bee said: On 12/27/2020 at 5:57 PM, YF65_CH53E said: Some USAF love here, Anyone know what is installed on the right hand sponson of this HH-53C? Where are my PAVE CAVE boys at? Well, that’s an interesting -53. Maybe that’s an early IR jammer? What’s PAVE CAVE all about? Never heard of that program before. Thanks for taking the time to post all these cool pics. 11bee, You are correct it is an early IRCM pod that the USAF PAVE LOW guys used. The PAVE CAVE, is a website for all things USAF PAVE LOW. Great reference. Before the book "On a steel horse I ride" was published the PAVE CAVE website had a great history of USAF 53's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Excellent info and pics, as always. One question - why there was no CH-53E with the bigger sponsons ? No need for longer ops ? I guess the bigger fuel tanks were only needed for MH-53Es thanks to bigger burn rate when towing the mine gear ? And interestning info that the CH-53E has all the "stuff" needed. Btw, was there even need or a test to convert CH to full MH ? Such as replacement ? or vice versa ? Off topic: anyone know any H-46 specialist ? Found info on one crash during Gulf war and need serial number for that bird, from HMM-161. Thanks !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 6 hours ago, JakubJakepilot said: Excellent info and pics, as always. One question - why there was no CH-53E with the bigger sponsons ? No need for longer ops ? I guess the bigger fuel tanks were only needed for MH-53Es thanks to bigger burn rate when towing the mine gear ? There kind of was - after 12 years, the CH-53Es of HC-4 (see my photo set above) were replaced with MH-53Es, which were used for the following 12 years... ....there was no change of role, the squadron still operated in fleet support - some of the Sea Dragons retained the nose-mounted mirrors, some didn't, as seen in the photos here: http://www.seaforces.org/usnair/HC/Helicopter-Combat-Support-Squadron-4.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, YF65_CH53E said: 11bee, You are correct it is an early IRCM pod that the USAF PAVE LOW guys used. The PAVE CAVE, is a website for all things USAF PAVE LOW. Great reference. Before the book "On a steel horse I ride" was published the PAVE CAVE website had a great history of USAF 53's. Lol, I thought PAVE CAVE was some super-secret AF program. I’d sure be interested in learning more about that jammer, if you find any more pics or details, feel free to post. BTW, what year was that picture taken? Never seen a solid green AF -53? Edited January 8, 2021 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 59 minutes ago, 11bee said: Lol, I thought PAVE CAVE was some super-secret AF program. I’d sure be interested in learning more about that jammer, if you find any more pics or details, feel free to post. BTW, what year was that picture taken? Never seen a solid green AF -53? I posted a few pics of the units a little further down the first page: And the aircraft isn't "solid green", it's in 'European 1' camo - it just appears all-green in the photo as that's the predominant colour... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, JakubJakepilot said: Excellent info and pics, as always. One question - why there was no CH-53E with the bigger sponsons ? No need for longer ops ? I guess the bigger fuel tanks were only needed for MH-53Es thanks to bigger burn rate when towing the mine gear ? And interestning info that the CH-53E has all the "stuff" needed. Btw, was there even need or a test to convert CH to full MH ? Such as replacement ? or vice versa ? Off topic: anyone know any H-46 specialist ? Found info on one crash during Gulf war and need serial number for that bird, from HMM-161. Thanks !! Jake, Was it the mission with the Royal Marines on board? That was 152579 which suddenly nosed down and crashed 9 mi S of Umm Qasr, Kuwait, 21Mar03. 4 USMC crew and 9 British servicemen aboard, all killed. Or it might have been 153372, which crashed and caught fire near Al-Buaisa, Iraq, 08Sep04, believed as a result of enemy fire. Four crew injured but evacuated safely. SOC 08Sep04. I input most of the H-46 data into the helis.com/database. Have a look. K/r, Dutch Edited January 8, 2021 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 minute ago, Dutch said: Jake, it depends. Was it the mission with the Royal Marines on board? That was 152579 which suddenly nosed down and crashed 9 mi S of Umm Qasr, Kuwait, 21Mar03. 4 USMC crew and 9 British servicemen aboard, all killed. I input most of the H-46 data into the helis.com/database. Have a look. K/r, Dutch Nope, it was 24/02/1991 during Gulf war, found one pic of damaged plane with YR-05 MODEX. Later repaired. But no idea about the BuNo. Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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