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Description
| Notes: Cargo/troop transport used for amphibious assault and shore operations with 6-BLADE main rotor (3 CREW) . | ||
| Manufacturer: | Sikorsky | |
| Base model: | H-53 | |
| Designation: | CH-53 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Sea Stallion | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1948-Present | |
| Basic role: | Helicopter | |
| Modified Mission: | Transport | |
Specifications
| Length: | 88' 2" | 26.8 m | |
| Height: | 17' 1" | 5.2 m | |
| Wingspan: | 72' 3" | 22.0 m | |
| Empty Weight: | 22,900 lb | 10,385 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 42,000 lb | 19,047 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | General Electric T64-GE-413 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 3925 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 257 miles | 413 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 173 mph | 278 km/h | 150 kt |
| Max Speed: | 196 mph | 315 km/h | 170 kt |
| Ceiling: | 21,000 ft | 6,400 m | |
History
| Date | Subject | Event |
| 1962/09/24 | DOD announced that Sikorsky, with its S-64 had won the competition to design the HHX, the new heavy Marine Corps helicopter transport, which would be known as the CH-53A. | |
| 1964/05/28 | The first CH-53A came off the production line and was accepted by the Sikorsky Flight Test Division. | |
| 1964/10/14 | Sikorsky Aircraft Company made the first test flight of a CH-53A. | |
| 1966/09/20 | The first CH-53A was delivered to an operational Marine squadron, HMH-463 at Santa Ana. |
Operators (Past and Present)
| USMC | HMH-772 | Willow Grove | PA |
| USMC | HMT-302 | MCAS Tustin | CA |
| USMC | HMT-304 | New River | NC |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| National Museum of Naval Aviation | NAS Pensacola | Florida |
| Patuxent River Naval Air Museum | Patuxent River | Maryland |
CH-53A on display
Naval Air Warfare Center |
Recent comments by our visitors
| rudy milwaukee, WI | Just looking for information on anyone who worked with GySgt Klitzka in 463. I know he was with 463 for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Lemme know. 06/21/2008 @ 08:04 [ref: 21567] |
| Pam , VA | P.s. Any Marines that would like to meet or find other Marines check out http://www.togetherweserved.com. A Free website by Marines for Marines. 02/11/2007 @ 07:26 [ref: 15481] |
| Pam Quantico, VA | I was at H&HS & SOMS K-Bay 83-86. Mostly hung out with the HMH-463 gang, tho. Married Al Cast (now divorced). Still friends with Mike "Hambone" Wellinghurst. Spent quite a bit of time with Del Rio and his crew at Primo Pier, playing liars poker and getting Bay qualed. Remember the auto hobby shop? We raced cars at Cambell Industrial Park against the locals. Fun Stuff!
Semper Fi! 02/11/2007 @ 05:48 [ref: 15478] |
| dori , WI | hey. anyone remember klitzka from 463 in 1991? 01/11/2007 @ 10:18 [ref: 15156] |
| Cliff Wilson Brandon, MS | I was with 463 from 86-90 assigned to flightline (mostly nightcrew). Had a great time and built some good friendships. When & where is the reunion?
Cliff. 12/31/2006 @ 12:29 [ref: 15050] |
| Earl Underwood , VA | If Mark, Tim or Yotes checks back into this page, please give he a shout on the wire. I have an annual reunion that includes many of the ole gang from HMH-463 and would love for you all to attend. Last year we had over 75 people, of course this included the families, but nonetheless we had a great time.
I look forward to hearing from you all and anyone else that is interest in attending the Shitter Boyz reunion. Earl. 08/25/2006 @ 08:43 [ref: 13992] |
| Earl Underwood , VA | If Mark, Tim or Yotes cheks back into this page, please give he a shout on the wire. I have an annual reunion that includes many of the ole gang from HMH-463 and would love for you all to attend. Last year we had over 75 people, of course this included the families, but nonetheless we had a great time.
I look forward to hearing from you all and anyone else that is interest in attending the Shitter Boyz reunion. Earl. 08/25/2006 @ 08:43 [ref: 13991] |
| Bill Boyd Roanoke, TX | I was a pilot with HMH-463 from May '75 until May '77. Looking for some of my old friends like Bill Dryer, Bob Price, John Cipparone, Donnie Davis, Larry Parks, Mike Edlebeck, Scott Steele or anyone in this time frame. Semper Fi. 02/14/2006 @ 22:01 [ref: 12498] |
| Joe , NY | I was Stationed at "K Bay" from '85-'88 as a 53D crewchief, my knick name was yotes. Looking back now i didn't realize what a great gig i had. The longer i'm out the more i miss it. The last plane assigned to me was "nuts" or 00 i don't remember the buno as Earl can. I recognize some of the names that the avionics guy included.
I started out workin for Gunny Del Rio. drinkin at Primo Peer and playing some dollar bill serial number betting game, in the head lights of a car at the Peer. Those hogs weren't pretty to look at, but i was proud to have been a "Heavy Hauler". 12/06/2005 @ 12:14 [ref: 11890] |
| Jeff Davis Murrieta, CA | Ahhh, the old school buses. Had over 1100 hours in those great aircraft, With HMH-363 74-80 . Transitioned to the "E"'s in 1982. Amazing how I stayed involved on an aircraft that was great to fly. 11/20/2005 @ 16:23 [ref: 11749] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
