JakubJakepilot Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 Another new pic emerged. Again from 1991, this one shows HMH-466 CH-53E 161386/YK-53 with "61" (no idea of the BuNo) in the middle and unknown in the back. Interestning is that "53" has probably the EAPS for his 3rd engine from some other airframe, probably from some in sand/brown camo ... The pic is postwar, but where ? Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted April 21, 2022 Author Share Posted April 21, 2022 Jakub, This picture is taken at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma Arizona. Very normal practice to swap EAPS barrels across multiple BuNo's in the squadron as they are a high maintenance item. Don't care what they are painted as long as the aircraft is "up" for missions. Especially as we had to reset the fleet when we returned form the desert. Lots of maintenance that was pushed off had to be done when we came home to get the aircraft back up to snuff. Gunny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Thanks for the updated info Gunny !! Still waiting for the CH-53E metal tail blade dimension :) And, for some BuNo/MODEX confirmations for "our" site .... Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 This a very kewl and informative discussion ... Thanks ..! ~Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Jakub, In the above photograph I can tell you that these three aircraft are all 161XXX or 162XXX BuNo's as they all have the early tail blades and TRH installed on the aircraft. The "Block Upgrade" began with the assignment of 163XXX BuNo's and the tail rotor blades were changed to the composite materials and the TRH changed to accommodate the new hub for said blades. The CH-53E with both style blades has approximately a 20.0ft diameter. Please see below. This line drawing is in the public domain, and not controlled. Hope this helps! Gunny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 Jakub, Here is a prime example of using an EAPS barrel where ever you can find one. How about a German CH-53G/GS with a USMC CH-53E gray EAPS installed? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 (edited) HM-15 MH-53E in overall FS36375(?) with FS36081 EAPS, AAR probe, mirrors, window frame, hoist, countermeasures unit, and towing rig: Edited June 13, 2022 by andyf117 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 Parts is parts! 🤪 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 Both pics are great :) Yeah, mix and match and fly :) Simple task .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikeavphoto Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 Here's a little know variant of the CH-53C. The Mid-Air Recovery System (MARS) CH-53Cs had gear installed to facilitate the recovery of satellites, but the system was also used to recover drones. Pilots assigned to MARS equipped helicopters, at either Hill or Hickam AFB, had to have a FAM flight with the gear, etc... The amendment documents to the CH-53C pilot TO is very informative. Mike Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 5 hours ago, mikeavphoto said: Here's a little know variant of the CH-53C. The Mid-Air Recovery System (MARS) CH-53Cs had gear installed to facilitate the recovery of satellites, but the system was also used to recover drones. Pilots assigned to MARS equipped helicopters, at either Hill or Hickam AFB, had to have a FAM flight with the gear, etc... The amendment documents to the CH-53C pilot TO is very informative. Mike Wilson I actually posted that same pic back on page 5 of this thread - it's a test ALCM that it's retrieving... ....what I haven't been able to identify is that particular aircraft's serial number... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikeavphoto Posted May 22, 2022 Share Posted May 22, 2022 Copy that AndyF117. I apologize for repeating the effort. I'm trying to get back into my H-53 research and came across the image I thought folks might like to see. With that, attached is a more recent image. I was on board the US Naval Academy 01 April to photograph the Marine Capabilities demo put on for the Midshipman. The helicopters, and two HMX-1 MV-22Bs were parked on the soccer field while the wheeled vehicles were parked elsewhere. Mike Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted May 23, 2022 Author Share Posted May 23, 2022 Mike, This is the research thread so post away, I know you have a "vast" stash of H-53 info to share. I've been to your office at PAX, so I now you have great stuff. r/Gunny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruiz Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 This is a very informative thread; recently, I started to gather references for a future project of a Yasur 2000, which I understand is essentially a CH-53D. I'll be thankful if someone can share images or diagrams of the equipment around the main rotor gearbox; I plan to utilize metal mesh in the ventilation openings around this area and add basic detailing to the inside. I found some interesting pictures of the frontal area on the German version but nothing in the back section where the two big openings are. Regards Carlos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aircommando130 Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 I have a question about the Reskit H-53 48th scale rotor head. I bought it to go on a MH-53J I want to eventually build. It's got folded rotor blades but I want it unfolded...can it be built that way? This is a great thread for a fantastic helicopter. Cheers...Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted May 31, 2022 Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 Ron, As far as I know the Reskit 1/48th CH-53D or as they call it "6-blade" version can be built spread or folded. The picture shows the Sleeve & Spindles in their folded "open" positions. I believe in the instructions it shows you how to glue them in the spread or folded positions. I will open up my Reskit MRH's and check for you to be sure. If it is sold molded in only the folded position, it would be very easy to carefully cut at the fold hinge and glue the S&S in their spread positions. Again I will double check my stash of Reskit stuff and verify. r/Gunny Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruiz Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 On 5/29/2022 at 4:09 PM, aircommando130 said: I have a question about the Reskit H-53 48th scale rotor head. I bought it to go on a MH-53J I want to eventually build. It's got folded rotor blades but I want it unfolded...can it be built that way? This is a great thread for a fantastic helicopter. Cheers...Ron Hello Ron, I have the RSU48-0011 from ResKit, and the halves of each hinge are molded separately, so in theory, they could be assembled both ways, but the instructions show them only in the folded position. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aircommando130 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 7 hours ago, cruiz said: Hello Ron, I have the RSU48-0011 from ResKit, and the halves of each hinge are molded separately, so in theory, they could be assembled both ways, but the instructions show them only in the folded position. Thanks for the info! I will try an "unfold" it! Cheers...Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Further to my previous post regarding a newly-found photo of a 'White Top' H-53 seen landing aboard USS Forrestal on 4 July 1976, today I stumbled across this one in a PDF document about HMX-1 that I've actually had on file for some time - I simply hadn't noticed it before... ....captioned as taken during a presidential visit to Puerto Rico in June 1976, it shows three VIP VH-53's on the ramp, two of which are 'White Tops' - until now, we thought there was only ever one: The pdf is a compilation of blog posts by Sgt Mike O'Neill, recounting his service with HMX-1: https://www.flyboyzblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HMX-1.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YF65_CH53E Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share Posted August 3, 2022 7 hours ago, andyf117 said: Further to my previous post regarding a newly-found photo of a 'White Top' H-53 seen landing aboard USS Forrestal on 4 July 1976, today I stumbled across this one in a PDF document about HMX-1 that I've actually had on file for some time - I simply hadn't noticed it before... ....captioned as taken during a presidential visit to Puerto Rico in June 1976, it shows three VIP VH-53's on the ramp, two of which are 'White Tops' - until now, we thought there was only ever one: The pdf is a compilation of blog posts by Sgt Mike O'Neill, recounting his service with HMX-1: https://www.flyboyzblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HMX-1.pdf Well there you have it photographic proof. Nicely done Andy!! Now to find out the BuNo of the mystery ship. Also of note is all three appear to have early drop tanks with a canted down angle, representative of the HH-53 model where we know HMX-1 got their first H-53's from. The plot thickens..................... Gunz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 (edited) Andy & Gunny, I may have found one white top serial for you. 157166. Here are the entries from helis.com/database. V/r, Dutch 65-292 ch-53d 157166 : S-65C, c/n 65-292, ff:?; del USMC as CH-53D 157166, unk; conv VH-53D, 1971; xfer HMX-1 1971; photo dtd as white top VH-53D. (@ I. A. Sikorsky Archives) 65-331 ch-53d 1971 157755 : Sikorsky S-65C, cn65-331, ff:?; del USMC as CH-53D 157755, NPRO Rep, 30Sep72; conv VH-53D for HMX-1, unk; xfer HMX-1, MCAS Quantico, VA, 25Jan72; to AMARC, Sep04. 65-332 ch-53d 1971 157756 : Sikorsky S-65C, cn65-332, ff:?; del USMC as CH-53D 157756, NPRO Rep, 29Oct: conv VH-53D for HMX-1, unk; xfer HMX-1, MCAS Quantico, VA, 11Feb72; to AMARC, Sep04. 65-333 ch-53d 1971 157930 : Sikorsky S-65C-1, c/n 65-333, ff?; del USMC as CH-53D 157930, 30Nov71; xfer HMX-1 as MX-23, 08Mar72; wfu & xfer AMARC as AN2J0099 25Nov96; moved Wiggins Group yard, Tucson, AZ, unk; rtnd AMARC as AN2J0123 10Sep04. Edited August 8, 2022 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Another "stumbled across" photo - RH-53D 158683 with International Orange bits whilst assigned to the NATC in 1976: https://www.airlinefan.com/airline-photos/United-States-Navy/Sikorsky/CH-53-Sea-Stallion/158683/1839089/ (Link is to page displaying copyrighted photo - click image, and then click again to activate 'zoom' viewer) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikeavphoto Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 I know that I'm not going to win any friends here, but I continue to argue the H-53s assigned to HMX-1 were not designated VH because they lacked the executive interior. My late career USMC father was assigned to HMX-1 when I was seven or eight years old, and I can remember checking out the Sea Stallions when families were allowed in the hangars; I know Sikorsky developed a roll-on/roll-off executive module for H-53s, but they were not acquired. Instead, more VH-3s were bought. With that said, on 03 March 2011 I had to opportunity to visit HMX-1 the day the last CH-53Es were departing and my escort was someone Gunny Hammer might remember from our Pax River days - Maj. Merriman. The Major was kind enough to have the enlisted Marines roll out the kit they use to transport White House staff for me to photograph. As you can see from the attached images, covers are used on the standard troop seats and a mat is put on the ramp and the cargo deck. Needless to say, the VIP pax are still subject to dripping hydraulic fluid during flight. Gunny, I am slowly returning to my book project, but other more important matters still have priority such as a few remaining legal stuff regarding my late bride, and I'm back to work as a photographer for the Navy. Not at Pax, but in Silver Spring. Returning to my rabbit hole, Mike Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 From the other end: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 (edited) On 8/6/2022 at 9:34 AM, mikeavphoto said: I know that I'm not going to win any friends here, but I continue to argue the H-53s assigned to HMX-1 were not designated VH because they lacked the executive interior. My late career USMC father was assigned to HMX-1 when I was seven or eight years old, and I can remember checking out the Sea Stallions when families were allowed in the hangars; I know Sikorsky developed a roll-on/roll-off executive module for H-53s, but they were not acquired. Instead, more VH-3s were bought. With that said, on 03 March 2011 I had to opportunity to visit HMX-1 the day the last CH-53Es were departing and my escort was someone Gunny Hammer might remember from our Pax River days - Maj. Merriman. The Major was kind enough to have the enlisted Marines roll out the kit they use to transport White House staff for me to photograph. As you can see from the attached images, covers are used on the standard troop seats and a mat is put on the ramp and the cargo deck. Needless to say, the VIP pax are still subject to dripping hydraulic fluid during flight. Gunny, I am slowly returning to my book project, but other more important matters still have priority such as a few remaining legal stuff regarding my late bride, and I'm back to work as a photographer for the Navy. Not at Pax, but in Silver Spring. Returning to my rabbit hole, Mike Wilson Mike, You are absolutely correct. No CH-53D/Es were EVER designated VH-53D/E, as you pointed out that they had no VIP interior. They were used merely for support, hauling the gear and support staff around, as well as Lts attending The Basic School, though without the nice interior and rear ramp mat. I will see if I can fix the helis.com database entry. As to why the white top versus all green paint, I will ask Joe Morgenthal. Beautiful photos, BTW. K/r, Dutch Edited August 9, 2022 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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