This is the mighty Sikorsky CH-53E of the USMC. It is somewhat larger than the standard USAF Jolly Green Giant, has a third engine and 7 main rotor blades vs six. Our “family Marine” was flying this one during Gulf War II when the photo was taken by a fellow pilot. I would like to build a model of this machine, either 72 or 48 scale. Does anyone know of anything matching this?
Hey yardbird,
If I am not mistaken Italeri makes one in 72nd but I am not sure what variant it is.
Good hunting.
Flaps up, Mike
I would like to see something in 1/48 of this bad boy but all I know of is the 1/72 Italeri already mentioned…
I flew medevac in the CH-53 and the CH-46 as a Corpsman… there’s a 1/48 46 out now so it would just be peachy to put that next to a 1/48 CH-53… of course I could hope for some aftermarket decals in HMM-266 for the 46 and HMH-461 for the 53 while I am dreaming… oh yeah and PE for the 53 as well…
one more thing… winning the lottery! I forgot to add that…
oh and last but not least, space big enough to put a 1/48 CH-53 in too!
Revell germany do the CH53G in 48th.
Italeri only do the CH53E in 72nd but I don’t think it is current.
I got mine in the late '90’s.
I think they also do an MH53 as well.
The Revell kit also includes bits to make the standard ch53 also
yeah saw that this weekend at the LHS… impressive size kit! I am snowed under with builds for awhile but this one might be a go! I don’t think anyone coming to my house besides my dad would even know a CH-46 from a 53, might less a 53G from an E!
Definition of a helicopter: 50,000 miscellaneous pieces flying in loose formation and trying to stay that way. If God had meant for helicopters to fly, he wouldn’t have made them so ugly. Helicopters don’t fly, the earth just repels them. [alien]
What is this aircraft forum coming to? First thread I see is asking questions about ship rigging and now we have helicopters! Oh woe is me…
A Helicopter IS an AIRCRAFT!
So there!
And remember yard bird, if you can’t hover you ain’t flown. (PC acceptable version).
Don
(retired FM/RS USCG)
It is true that a helicopter is an aircraft BUT… there is a category for rotary wing AC provided in the forum just as there is for ships.
So there!
I have had the experience of hovering and being hoisted and lowered on a few occasions. Helos are a lot of fun.
Helicopters, the only way to fly, don’t trust anything that takes starch to hold it’s wings up.
John
helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission
yardbird,
WOW!!! You have a dughter who helps design aircraft, and a MARINE!!! son who flies them. My hat’s off to you, my friend!! [bow][bow][bow] I got to fly from the USS Saipan back to Cherry Point, NC, back during the first Gulf War (on a CH-53D though), and have always wanted to build a 48th scale model of one of those thingies myself. Let us all know if you find what you’re looking for, and how to get them. Good Luck!!!
Yardbird78:
The only kit that I found that builds into a CH-53E is the 1/72 Revell kit. I found mine a couple years back on-line. The 1/48 CH-53G will require a LOT of scratchbuilding to convert to a 53E (it’s based off the H-53A/D airframe).
Semper Fi!
Carl
This is our “Family Marine!” He is currently serving in Iraq with Marine Force Recon group. Serving a tour with these “bad boys” is a necessary box to check off in his quest for O-5. [alien]
I believe Hasegawa also makes a 1/72 CH-53 kit. I recal one of my friends building one.
The best Aircraft in Military Service. It’s also the most maintenance intensive.
Italeri makes a really very bad 1/72 scale kit. The detail lacks and the fit is pretty bad. If you like scratch building and filler putty, it’s a great kit. Revell Germany did some repackages of the same mold. It’s still a very bad kit.
The kit decals from italeri are incorrect. There is no “HMM-464” squadron, but you can change the decals around to make HMH-464. HMH-464 flew extensively in OIF and put in more flight hours than any Marine Corps squadron during the first 3 months of the war.
The aricraft weathered horribly making them flying goo-balls on the exterior from the #1 and #3 engines back. Fuel, eng oil, trans oil, and hydraulic fluid would leak down the sides, mix with sand and make a brown oil-mud plastered to the side of the aircraft.
Good luck on your model. The CH-53E is one of the most capable military aircraft in the world right now, and I consider it an underappreciated subject. But, I am a little biased
Cool pics
Nice shots of the 53. I see you are converting a Navy mine clearing version to the E model. Is that Navy version the G model or something else. It looks like anyone wanting to make an E model is really going to have their work cut out for them. Thanks for posting. [alien]
That kit picture is the Italeri’s CH-53E. It’s a kit Echo, but like I said it’s not very accurate. The kit is out of production now. The Rotor Head is way too basic, even for 1/72 scale. The kit is missing details like the “fish eyes” (guided missile detectors). Those fish eyes you can see in the Duc Tape picture right behind my head. The kit lacks a decent interior and door guns. The cockpit is very basic. It’s also missing the Forward Looking Infra Red device. The FLIR ball hangs off the mount right infront of me in the Duc Tape picture. Hope the info helps out and you’re able to find a CH-53E kit. They’re out there, but they’re not very good.
Yardbird,
The Navy version of the 53E is the MH-53E.
cool 'copter ! this looks like a “someday” project. someday…
ridleusmc - i have one little question - does the digital clock in the 3rd pic you posted read 3:27 AM ?? or are my eyes decieving me? [;)]