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H-53 Reference photos for 2020!!


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Jakub,

 

I will try and answer your questions, the best I can.  On the pictures of the Ugly Angels CH-53D, the "Exhaust Mufflers" Are Infrared Suppressors.  "IR Suppressors".  A number of CH-53D's with GE-413 engines had them installed.  This was to supposedly reduce our IR heat signature to enemy IR missile threats.  they were deemed very high maintenance, as well as fire hazards.  They also reduced engine performance, so......we removed them for other modern advances in ASE equipment.

 

Onto your CH-53E questions:

 

1. SATCOM antenna - - only installed there for a few years and later moved to farther up on the tunnel cowlings (very few desert storm a/c installed IF ANY)

2. UHF "Aft" Antenna , installed with the ARC-210 radios (not on desert storm a/c)

3. VHF Antenna, removed with the upgraded ARC-210 radios installed, as they were dual band antennas (not installed on desert storm a/c)

4. Hand Hold installed on all CH-53E's MH-53E's

5. Hand Hold installed on all CH-53E's and MH-53E's

6. Omega Navigation System Antenna (removed), was present on Desert Storm Birds

7. HF Radio antenna mast (installed on desert storm a/c)

8. HF Radio antenna mast (installed on desert storm a/c)

9. Upgraded HF Antenna, beginning on 163XXX BuNo and above (not installed on desert storm a/c)

10. FWD HF antenna mast (installed on desert storm a/c)

11. Lower anti-collision light installed on all CH-53's, this particular light appears to be the "Dual" anti-coll light with red/white strobes (not installed on desert storm a/c)

12. Lower new ARC-210 radio antenna, or "aft comm antenna", (not installed on desert storm a/c)

13. Old AFT UHF comm 1/2 antenna retracted position, it extends when gear goes up. (installed on desert storm a/c)

14. FWD UHF comm antenna (installed on desert storm a/c)

 

The above pictures were all taken at MCAS Tustin, when the squadrons came back from Desert Storm.  Of note in the picture of YF-61, is a nice shiny "newly painted" CH-53E from HMH-465 or HMH-466, fresh from Depot overhaul with the "Tri-Color" camouflage applied!!  Still think the CH-53A/D/E looked excellent in these colors!!!  I am sorry but the gray/gray is just that GRAY GRAY..ugghhhhh so bloody hard to keep clean, well it is called a "Shitter" for a reason!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gunny Dan

 

 

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Hi Gunny, absulutely great great response. I will try to sort it out and add it to our "how-to" page HERE. I have more questions about CH-53Ds, I noticed that some/all had the brackets for the AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare launchers installed, but so far I have no pics of Gulf Ds with launchers installed itself - was it common this way ? No ASE installed ? And what about that one special airframe with AAR and ALQ ? I thought that those mods will go first to frontline Es... Thanks !!! More work for me which I LOVE IT !!!! :)

 

EDIT: OK, page updated both for CH-53E and MH-53E.

Strange thing is, that I found pics in my archive of CH-53E with the newer "towel rack" VHF antenna which are from Gulf ...

And, also, one small antenna is missing in the Academy instructions, both for CH and MH versions - which antenna it is ? It is just above and to the left of the Omega antenna

Picture:

163056_1.jpg

 

Edited by JakubJakepilot
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Well, the luck strikes again :) Was able to identify few more BuNos for the CH-53Es and add some more pictures :) Yippeee

162482

162482_3.thumb.jpg.02d791c9ee95fb8551bbeb653d637bb9.jpg

 

162460

162460_2.thumb.jpg.ca3a6fe0bce3ab7cf2a2acb8b8c02571.jpg

 

 

in the background 161992

161992_3.thumb.jpg.1bd3210e8d64df0485ec2c5fb6c50afb.jpg

 

161382

161382_2.thumb.jpg.7c66f9d3141cd248ba8b31e0179d483f.jpg

 

and in the background CH-53D 157734

157734_4.thumb.jpg.9617dcce5a43b05370e8f86d29ca2f86.jpg

Edited by JakubJakepilot
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On 1/25/2022 at 10:49 PM, JakubJakepilot said:

Hi Gunny, absulutely great great response. I will try to sort it out and add it to our "how-to" page HERE. I have more questions about CH-53Ds, I noticed that some/all had the brackets for the AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare launchers installed, but so far I have no pics of Gulf Ds with launchers installed itself - was it common this way ? No ASE installed ? And what about that one special airframe with AAR and ALQ ? I thought that those mods will go first to frontline Es... Thanks !!! More work for me which I LOVE IT !!!! 🙂

 

EDIT: OK, page updated both for CH-53E and MH-53E.

Strange thing is, that I found pics in my archive of CH-53E with the newer "towel rack" VHF antenna which are from Gulf ...

And, also, one small antenna is missing in the Academy instructions, both for CH and MH versions - which antenna it is ? It is just above and to the left of the Omega antenna

Picture:

163056_1.jpg

 

 

Jakub,

 

The picture above is a USN MH-53E that was delivered with the "towel rack" HF antenna's from the factory.  The small antenna in front of the "Shark Fin" and above the Omega is the VOR antenna.

 

If you have Marine CH-53E's with the "Towel Rack" antenna installed in Desert Storm colors in the Gulf, I would be very very surprised.  We did not start receiving those antennas until 1992-1994 with the 163XXX BuNo's delivered to mostly MCAS Tustin to HMT-302, and then HMH-462 standing down our CH-53D and taking delivery of 12 brand new block upgrade CH-53E's.  163079, 163080, 163084, 163091, 164358, 164359, 164360, 164361 (My airplane 1992 - 1993), 164362, 164363, 164364, 164365 (My airplane 1993 - 1998).

 

But the east coast squadrons HMH-461, HMH-464 "May" have gotten a few 163XXX aircraft prior to the war starting.  I only know what I saw in theatre, and I do not recall any block upgrades during OP Desert Shield or Storm.

 

Dan

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Hi Dan, thanks for the explanation.

VOR antenna - present on all CH-53Es and on MH-53Es ?

And pics with upgraded HF antenna - I have some here, no idea if they are really from Gulf, but were sent to me/I downloaded them and were labeled as from Gulf.

838485445_71853809_1628050460658307_5854211651909189632_o_iwojima.thumb.jpg.9fb34ef4cd1aa7891641d897cf70b77c.jpg1763892149_86651954_798446850634228_8996961835118755840_n.jpg_JohnPaulMeints.thumb.jpg.7b8640a2f8b6cf9eb57edfed26457cb7.jpg

 

 

These two should be from HMH-464 from Gulf, atleast the first one. The second one is labeled from "Lonesome Dove" FARRP but the image is labeled"DM-SC-93-03522" so I guess it could be from 1993 ?

Scannen0045.thumb.jpg.b5aeb161ed5ad8a455b2a1e322928368.jpg742747481_DM-SC-93-03522_lonesomedove.thumb.jpg.2618a6a23756325fdb7d9420015e7ef8.jpg

 

Also, any idea of which unit was this ? And if it was from Gulf ? It has the MAWS but also great nose art :)

2108976369_velkeRWR_Scannen0021.thumb.jpg.5fdd6eff6b7c66354f7d99f1ce6180a6.jpg

 

Thanks !

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Big thanks for the bigger version of the first pic. So, clearly, atleast the middle two CH-53Es has the upgraded HF "towel rack" antennas, and in my smaller pic I had as they were from HMH-461...

And that airfield shot, yeah, I have this one and one from different angle, but as I said, identifier of the pic is "330-CFD-DM-SC-93-03522.jpeg" so, I guess that "93" COULD denote a year ? As that catalog is FULL of mistakes and wrongly named files etc. I spent some time looking at that archive catalogue ...

Thanks !

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I don't think the numbers denote years - eg., I visited the USS Saipan in Portsmouth harbour in 1986, but the archives.gov pics have '87' in them...

Edited by andyf117
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On 2/8/2022 at 2:57 AM, JakubJakepilot said:

Hi Dan, thanks for the explanation.

VOR antenna - present on all CH-53Es and on MH-53Es ?

And pics with upgraded HF antenna - I have some here, no idea if they are really from Gulf, but were sent to me/I downloaded them and were labeled as from Gulf.

 

 

 

These two should be from HMH-464 from Gulf, atleast the first one. The second one is labeled from "Lonesome Dove" FARRP but the image is labeled"DM-SC-93-03522" so I guess it could be from 1993 ?

742747481_DM-SC-93-03522_lonesomedove.thumb.jpg.2618a6a23756325fdb7d9420015e7ef8.jpg

 

Als

What's with the cabin windows on 08?

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1 hour ago, 11bee said:

What's with the cabin windows on 08?

 

45 minutes ago, JakubJakepilot said:

Looks like taped over to me, I noticed that too..

 

Or Velcro-like tape on the inside faces for fitting 'blackout' screens? Was quite common on Sea King windows adjacent to radar/sonar operator stations...

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10 hours ago, andyf117 said:

 

 

Or Velcro-like tape on the inside faces for fitting 'blackout' screens? Was quite common on Sea King windows adjacent to radar/sonar operator stations...

That is IR Tape, some units put that on the window frames so the infantry could see an airplane all blacked out.  We do not have illuminated cabin windows like the USAF PAVE LOWs.  Also, it could be standard reflective tape on the "inside" of the windows for ship board operations incase of an aircraft going down at sea you could find your exit by seeing the reflective tape.  Some squadrons did it, some MEUs did it, some did not.  Again, it all depends on the combatant commanders in a specific theatre and the guidance they give as to the "normal" configuration of that particular CH-53E you happen to get a pic of.

 

Andy, we would never install "black out screens" as the cabin is to dang dark already...LOL.

 

Also, Jakub as I said some of the east coast squadrons received some of the CH-53E "Block Upgrades" possibly prior to 1991, as you can see by the (2) pics you found.  I see both of those tail codes are east coast squadrons that have the block upgrade composite tail blades, and the "towel bar" HF antenna.  EN is HMH-464 out of MCAS New River North Carolina.  The other aircraft with the "Nose Art" you liked is a HMH-461 bird I believe CJ is their tail code.

 

In 1990 - 1991 the west coast (MCAS Tustin, Tustin CA) did not deploy that I know of to Desert Shield or Storm with 163XXX block upgrade aircraft.  HMH-465, HMH-466 were the west coast CH-53E units deployed to the conflict. (Tail codes YK, YJ)  HMH-462 deployed with CH-53D's (Tail code YF)(west coast, my unit).  The other West Coast squadrons stayed put.  HMH-363 (Tail code YZ) was in Okinawa and their UDP was extended until the conflict was over.  HMH-361 (Tail code YN) was in the middle of transition from CH-53D's to CH-53E's and they stayed in transition until after the conflict was over. If the war would have drug on, and losses started to mount I am sure these units would've been pressed into theatre.  At the time HMT-302 (Tail code UT) had over 35 CH-53A/D/Es and was the unit in charge of replacement aircraft if needed and replacement aircrews when needed.  In perspective from a configuration standpoint HMT-302 did an amazing job.  From 1990 - 1993 this is what was on the flight line during OPDS/DS:

 

CH-53A's vietnam vintage, -6B engines, "wetheads", lubricated sleeve and spindles

CH-53D's vietnam vintage,  -413 engines, no external batwings/auxtanks (called "slicks") wetheads

CH-53D's vietnam vintage, -413 engines, no external batwings/auxtanks, "dryheads" elastomeric rotorhead installed

CH-53D's, 1970's vintage, -413 engines, batwings, with 650 gal drop tanks, wetheads

CH-53D's 1970's vintage, -413 engines, batwings, with 650 gal drop tanks, "dryheads"

CH-53E's early 161XXX BuNo's, -416 engines, metal tail blades with BIM's installed (which required maintenance on an hourly schedule), early AFCS flight control computers

CH-53E's 163XXX BuNo's, Block upgrades, -416A engines, all composite tail blades, ARC-210 radios, new HF radios, new 109 AFCS flight control computers

 

All of these configurations required common support equipment as well as peculiar support equipment per what Type/Model/Series you were working on that day.  The tools for working on a -416 engine were not the same as a -416A engine, also vastly differing tools on a "wethead" versus a "dryhead".

 

Fun facts, probably overkill.

 

r/Gunny Dan

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On 2/11/2022 at 9:00 AM, JakubJakepilot said:

Definetly not fun facts, but really really great info. Btw, was there any difference metal vs composite tail blades from modellers perspective ? Trying to cobble down all the bits and pieces for the "how to" page 🙂

Thanks !

AFAIK there is/was a Revell boxing containing both types of rotor blades: no. 04446 HC-53 GS/G

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3 hours ago, tobiK said:

AFAIK there is/was a Revell boxing containing both types of rotor blades: no. 04446 HC-53 GS/G

I was not talking about main rotor blades, but tail rotor blades. And the Revell kit is not E version with slanted tail, but "old" CH-53C/GS/G etc alias two engine bird. And yes, it has metal and composite main rotor blades.

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On 2/11/2022 at 8:00 AM, JakubJakepilot said:

Definetly not fun facts, but really really great info. Btw, was there any difference metal vs composite tail blades from modellers perspective ? Trying to cobble down all the bits and pieces for the "how to" page 🙂

Thanks !

 

1 hour ago, JakubJakepilot said:

I was not talking about main rotor blades, but tail rotor blades. And the Revell kit is not E version with slanted tail, but "old" CH-53C/GS/G etc alias two engine bird. And yes, it has metal and composite main rotor blades.

All the Desert Storm CH-53E photos you've posted show the metal tail rotor blades, with square-cut roots...

....composites are similar in style to the main blades, featuring angled roots and tips:

CH-53E_tailRotorFolded.jpg

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Jakub,

 

The composite tail blades above Andy posted a great picture of was standard on the 163XXX delivered BuNo's to both USN and USMC units.  The fast way to tell is the square cut tip[s as Andy pointed out.  Also the earlier TRB had Blade Inspection Modules (BIMS) installed as they had pressurized spars for rigidity.  Nitrogen was used.  Same as the MRB of the CH-53E. spar pressurized with nitrogen.  The composite blades on the tail did away with the need for BIMs.

 

Gy

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OBTW, none of the CH-53E kits in both 1/72 or 1/48th do you have the original TRB present.  You would have to modify the ones in the kit, or build entire new ones if you wanted to model the early 161XXX and 162XXX CH-53E's.

 

Dan

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Dan, yeah, I realized that already and updated my "how to" page with this kind of info. Could you please check it out if I have the antenna config correct for "old" and "Block" upgrade ? - https://www.dstorm.eu/pages/build_instructions/h-53_en.html

Maybe I should make two configs there, for old and for Block .... I will think about it ...

 

And, are the old metal blades on Echo same as on Delta ?

 

Thanks !

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8 hours ago, JakubJakepilot said:

And, are the old metal blades on Echo same as on Delta ?

Negative - the Airfix kit tail rotor correctly scales out to 16'0" in diameter, with each blade 6'3" root-to-tip, and of 14" chord...

....the old Scale Cast CH-53E resin conversion measures out at 19'6" diameter, with each blade 8'0" in length and 16" chord....

....the Italeri/Revell kits also scale out to 19'6" diameter, with 14" chord - so all the Echos are 6" short, as the actual size is 20'.

Edited by andyf117
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53 minutes ago, andyf117 said:

Negative - the Airfix kit tail rotor correctly scales out to 16'0" in diameter, with each blade 6'3" root-to-tip, and of 14" chord...

....the old Scalecast CH-53E resin conversion measures out at 19'6" diameter, with each blade 8'0" in length and 16" chord....

....the Italeri/Revell kits also scale out to 19'6" diameter, with 14" chord - so all the Echos are 6" short, as the actual size is 20'.

 

Yeah........what he said!!🤣

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Hi gents, I am sorry, I am a bit lost with Imperial and metric dimensions etc :)  So, I am trying to sort it out like this:

 

CH-53G/GS/GSA - MH-53J/M - CH-53D - CH-53C - RH-53A/D - S-65 - just any two engine H-53 tail rotor with metal blades
16'0" (4876.8mm) diameter
blade - 6'3" (1828.8mm) root-to-tip, 14" (355.6mm) chord

 

1:72 kits
Airfix - correct
Italeri/Revell - ?
Fujimi - ?

 

1:48

Revell - ?

 

CH-53E tail rotor with metal blades
diameter - 20' (6096mm)
blade - ?

1:72 kits - none

1:48 kits - none


MH/CH-53E tail rotor with composite blades
diameter - ?
blade - ?

 

1:72 kits
Italeri/Revell/Wolfpack - ?

 

1:48 kits

Academy - ?

 

Please feel free to add info on "?" missing dimensions. I will measure out the 1:48 Revell CH-53G and 1:72 Italeri MH-53E kits over the weekend (have them stored at grandparents place).

 

Thanks and sorry for the confusions.

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51 minutes ago, JakubJakepilot said:

CH-53E tail rotor with metal blades
diameter - 20' (6096mm)
blade - ?

1:72 kits

Scale Cast conversion - 19'6" if assembled as supplied, but easily adjustable

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/scale-cast-c08-ch-53e-conversion--961733

 

MH/CH-53E tail rotor with composite blades

diameter - 20' (6096mm)
blade - ?

 

1:72 kits
Italeri/Revell/Wolfpack - 19'9" (6020mm) (re-measured)

 

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