Heavy Lifting Sikorsky's CH-53 series started big and just kept growing. The first major leap came with the CH-53E Super Stallion, which added a third engine (the first generation CH-53A before you has two) and considerably more lift capability. The latest CH-53 version, the CH-53K King Stallion, has a gross takeoff weight of over 84,000 pounds, nearly twice that of the CH-53A. First evaluated by Naval Air Test Center personnel in August 1965, the CH-53A could perform loops and rolls (challenging for a helicopter of any size) and was, for a time, the world's fastest production helicopter. The CH-53 series includes variants that perform mine countermeasures and special operations missions, and can be refueled in-flight. CH-53s of various types are operated by U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and many foreign militaries.
Our Display Aircraft Bureau Number 151686 was the third CH-53A produced. Our aircraft served with Marine Helicopter Squadron HMH-363 from 1968 until 1971, when it was transferred to the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, PA. At NADC, it was used to develop Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and Night Vision systems to enable safe low-altitude operation at night. Our CH-53 was retired in 1991 and transferred to PRNAM.
· Primary
Mission: Heavy-lift assault transport
· Crew: Pilot, Copilot, Crew Chief/Loadmaster
· U.S. Service Timeline (CH-53 Series): 1966 - present
· Max. Gross Weight: 42,000 lb
· Dimensions: 73.5 ft fuselage length, 72.2 ft rotor diameter
· Propulsion: Two General Electric T64-GE-6 turboshaft engines
· Max. Operating Speed: 150 MPH (sea level)
· Payload/Armament: Up to 8,000 lb cargo or 13,000 lb sling load; door-mounted M60 7.62mm machine guns
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Triangle, Virginia
Comments 0 comments