Since you guys are more "elevated" than I, I was wondering... Do those of you who are around this magnificant bird, still get excited when you hear or see it overhead? I literally get goose bumps from it.
I've got a pic in my cruze book from WEST Pac 83 where a 53 is lifting AV8A onto the deck of the Tarawa. It was assume to see 1st hand. Those 53's are work horse's
While with 4th MAW at NAS Dallas, we had some of the older 'A' models in HMH-777. At Futema, HMH-462 was just down the Flight Line. At those places, I never flew on one, but just marveled at them.
Then at HMX-1, I got to fly a little on our "D" models. Around 78 or 79--- I forget which, we got the sole surviving proto-type "E" model to test and evaluate for several months. The Navy got one too, but they crashed thiers at New River.
Gosh that thing was BIG!!! Even parked next to the 'D' models, it looked HUGE!
Oh yeah,,,, I still have to stop and watch whenever I see a '53 overhead.
In Tustin, CA.( I loved that place) anyways I saw an old picture of an early model H-53 with 3 of the six blades removed "in test flight". I guess the later models can't do that because they now have 3 engines and 7 blades. Goes to show the power of those beasts.
I was a Crew Chief on a Ch-53D model from 75 to 79. I enjoyed the flying with some of the best pilots in the world. I still get excited seeing them overhead and hope some day to take one more ride.
Delta is the Sea Stallion, they named the Echo Super Stallion. But nitpicking aside, they're awesome aircraft. HMH-463, first unit to bring the Delta to Iraq and she rocked the house!
i don't even have to see it to know what it is! they fly over my ne tn home every now n then, and of course i always have to go outside n look. my parent sqdn was hmh 464, but was asigned to what is now called mals 29. goin way back lol
Semper Fi! I too like the CH-53E helo. I was a 6132 (Helicopter Dynamic Component Mechanic) stationed at Futenma Air Station on Okinawa for 4 1/2 years (1997-2002). I was intermediate level maintenance and the shop I was in (440/460 shops--MALS-36) worked on a lot of the CH-53E and D model parts--even some of the parts were massive--i.e. Rotorheads, transmissions, etc. It was always nice to see the big birds practicing manuevers around the pattern at Futenma. Hell, I love all aircraft though--stuff gets in your blood--I still work on the "big metal" even after leaving the Corps, I have done a 1 1/2 year stint working as an airline A&P mechanic working on 50 seat Embraer ERJ-145 and 37 seat ERJ-135 aircraft (that is a nice looking bird, not bad for a small airliner.) I am now working on Boeing 737-300 and 737-500's for a contract maintenance company. But nothing will ever compare to my days working on the helos in the Corps!! Still like to see the Marine birds first at every air show I go too
Sgt. Carrick Dunn Indianapolis, IN MALS-36 MCAS Futenma Okinawa, Japan 1997-2002
I had the distinct pleasure of working on C-130s, and 53s, D and E, I think. Being in the 6060/Flight Equipment shop, we weren't airframe specific.
When ever I hear either one, I know it, instantly. Been near 10 years, since I left our Beloved Corps...the sound of those 2 vastly different work horses is and will always be near and dear to my heart.
Sgt Andrew Thompson Lititz, Pa VMGR-252 1993-1996 MCAS Cherry Pt. NC HMH-772 1996-1998 NAS Willow Grove, PA
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING ON THE A&D MODELS 1978 TO 1982 I HAVE PICTURES OF 20 BIRDS IN THE AIR AT ONE TIME SQDN HMH 361 WHILE AT FUTEMA ON OKINAWA
