I was qualified as a load master for the CH53. It truly is an amazing craft. The blades are so strong that even though you can stand under, it feels like they are really close to your head.
I love that satisfying moment in all the chaos of movement and noise when watching a helicopter run up when the notes change and the blades start loading and flexing up just before you see them pitch and lift the mass into the air whilst the blades in the tail all pitch to counteract it.
I was part of the crew while serving in the Marines 72-76 1st MAW Futenma Okinawa, I am fascinated by anything that flies. Futenma supplied all of the helicopters for the Saigon evacuation, in April 1975. Watching the embassy video those helicopters came from Futenma, Ch46, HMM-164 I was present in that bird many times on Okinawa.
I'm a single engine pilot and was ATC in the Army. I've been aboud a lot of 64's and 60's, these, not so much. The freaking tail rotor is huge, in inself.
I spent seven years in the Corps and the first half was with the 5th Marines. I had many opportunities to fly in the CH-53's and oh, what an experience! That was in the 80's and they have gotten much more powerful, since then.
Flew in these while in the Corps as well. Got rescued in a blizzard while in Bridgeport, CA doing the cold weather/mountain warfare training. Crazy, buried the landing gear had to get to the back gate by snowshoes pull them off sink past your waist then pull yourself into the bird. Crazy time back in the late 70’s. Great memories now!
Was with 3/5 in the 80’s as well, flew in these beast and the CH46 and had similar story up at Winter Warfare training. Jump off the back ramp and wait for the rotor wash to subside enough to be able to stand up and collect your gear.
@@jacoballen3267 I remember we left the ship (Peleliu) late in the evening/night. The flight in was between 3-4hrs. I was sitting second from the front and had a good view of the FLIR between the pilots. We were flying LOW. Some time in the flight we all heard the 50 open up and thought we were in the shit; we weren’t, crew was function checking before we went feet dry. I remember we tried to refuel and were unable for some reason. Being behind that C-130 was otherworldly in terms of the way the 53 felt in flight, very bumpy. The next day we heard that our bird was so low on fuel that we would not have been able to do much if things went south. Anyway, the insertion went very smoothly as SEALS and Rangers had already had eyes on and most of the enemy was located up north a ways. Gen Mattis came out the next day and walked the lines. He said our insertion looked like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. I’m assuming his command/control bird was loitering as we all inserted. Good times. I sincerely miss those days and Marines.
@@benjamincheney Dude, I know the feeling. I went to the island a little over a year after your insertion. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve found and looked at the airstrip on Google Earth and wonder if we’ll have to go back and retake it because we ended up being attacked again. I worry that it WILL happen again. My brother, I thank you for doing what had to be done there. Unfortunately I did not get deployed out to there, and I’ve questioned myself a lot since, so I have sincere respect to my brothers and sisters who did. Semper Fi
I live in a condo complex one mile away from Sikorsky's where these are manufactured here in Connecticut. In fact my first Accounting job was at Sikorsky's where I had to track the costs of rotor blade hubs machined at subcontractors. When they are testing these 53's, and the Blackhawks, it is a sight of beauty them flying over our complex. The sound of the rotors is amazing. Kudos to Igor Sikorsky for his ingenuity building these 100 years ago.. Hi from Bob in Connecticut
@@TheTruthKiwi Hi Truth. That was 46 years ago. However, the company I work for now we supply the main rotor and tail rotor de-icing wire to a company who then sells it to Sikorsky's. Hi from Bob in Connecticut.
@@bobkrakovich1851 Ok, keep your secrets Bob :p Haha just joking mate, nice line of work you're in there. Must be very interesting. G'day from New Zealand.
I lived at New River Air Station in Jacksonville NC when i was a kid in the 80s. My dad was stationed at HMM 262 ugly angels. I loved watching them roar over the house with M 35's slung under them.
Tail rotor on this thing is as big as the main rotor on the OH-58 I crewed in the army. Only got to work with one of these once on a joint mission but it was awesome to watch fly.
I only saw these a couple times myself while I was in the army. I was a cav scout and two of these flew over my hide. I was in my Bradley and got a good look at it with my optics. They are enormous. Make Blackhawks look small
While in theC Marines from 1975 until 1987 I got to fly on the Ch-53C Sea Stallion, the CH-53D Sea Stallion, and CH54E Super Stallion. Those great birds to be on
Scary - Fierce - Tough. 2 pilots, 1 cabin crew + 21 parachutists, complete with individual equipment. I've flown with the CH 53 before. I like it on. Thank you US NAVY. 👍👍
So couple inaccuracies in your comment. 1 we never fly with 1 crew chief unless in and FCF status. This was our aircraft off the 24th MEU working with the Brits. We generally fly with a mix of crew chiefs and aerial observers. Secondly this is not a naval aircraft it’s a Marine aircraft. The Naval version is the MH-53 Sea Stallion which has largely been phased out and replaced by the MH-60 for minesweeping anti sub operations. Just wanted to clear that up, as someone who still currently flies on these big irons at just passed about 2200 flight hours.
@@GDub356 Thank you Mr. Robert Wills. Look, Indonesia doesn't have the Chinook Super Stallion Helicopter yet. When I was a volunteer in Aceh after the Tsunami Disaster. Boarded CH 53 on the USS Abraham L.
I wrote what I saw and knew, of course I don't understand the CH 53 variant, between US Navy interests and USMC. Comment before this due to limited word count, recorrect, USS Abraham Lincoln.
Great Video 👏👏 I was with HSL-40 (HSM-40 as of 11/01/2009) in Mayport, Florida . Such a smooth ride because of it's weight. Thank You for taking the Video.
I was an avionics tech rep on this model with the Navy's first helicopter squadron (HC-1) on NAS North Island from 1984 to 1987. The best and most interesting job I ever had. This helo can lift 32,000 pounds and go 50 miles with it. It had much of the drive train that was originally designed for a more powerful Skycrane, the Army's CH54 Tarhe. The Marines wanted to originally only buy 49 of these models for a few special heavy operations so they didn't want to spend a lot for a whole new helo design just modify the older two engined CH 53D. Not much time and money was spent to make it a high reliability and ease of maintenance helo either by the USMC since only 49 were required and were not going to be used very often. later the USMC decided they want many more. They did have several flaws that were eventually worked out, as most new models of anything do.
@NotParticularlyAmused I was the avionics Sikorsky rep at Tustin for a few months at Tustin near the end of 1987. I replaced Harry Macelroy. Do you remember the AFCS problem that occured to many but not all the CH53Es around 1985 or 86? One of your fellow Marines called it morning sickness. I was sent from a Navy squadron in North Island San Diego to fix this problem that was plaguing a few helos on the USS Okinawa. I got on the ship at Perth Australia and got off in Hong Kong. Were you on that deployment?
I find it amazing that the entire weight of that aircraft and everything in it is supported only by the main rotor shaft thrust bearings. I'd love to see that mechanism up close.
It weighs 17 tons empty There's 4 crew, 30 infantry Avg weigh is about 170 lb a man and they carry about 150 to 200 lb in gear That's 5 tons of just Marines. It can lift about 7 tons 4300 shaft horsepower turning seven main blades and four tail. $20,000 an hour to operate. Between the sound and the turbulence I thought it was going to come on done any second every second I was onboard.
@@David-wk6md that's great info, thanks. I can't imagine what it must feel like taking a ride in one of those things. Really is an awesome piece of machinery.
These are the size of a bus. A Greyhound bus. I got the privilege of directing one of these to land in an open field in Camp Lejeune back in the 90s. Truly an awesome experience.
Good ole' hurry up and wait Marines. Long pre-flight check. Flew in these many times back in my Marine Corps days. I love the smell of hydraulic fluid in the morning! Super cool! Semper Fi my Marine Corps brethren!
Even with several years as a Crew Chief on A-10s, I can't decide which I love more; The A-10 or the CH-53E - especially the PAVELOW models. Just incredible machines. Although after talking with rotor mechs, they say that the H-53s and H-3 leak oil inside like it was its primary job.
I consider the H-53 the A-10 of the rotorwing world. A hulking roaring *beast.* who is ugly to outsiders, and beautiful to us who love aviation. Military or otherwise. My top 3 alltime favorite helicopters.
The one thing that sucks with this video is that one cannot truly grasp what this helicopter truly sounds like... you can feel the noise when boots-on-ground... AND IT'S INTIMIDATING!!!!!! Thanks for capturing this and sharing!
I love the idle / flat-pitch sound, same with the MV-22 Ospreys - it’s kinda sinister as they chop through the air waiting for that collective movement lol. Then boom, you’re lifting a small house 🤣
I remember when they went on their first cruise. Flew off my ship back to the states for separation leave. You are so right, they'll pin you into your seats!
When I was a kid living in Yokosuka Naval base. One of these flew low over the houses and landed in our school play ground. They let us check it out while waiting for a fuel truck.
Cool. The same thing happened at my high school football field in 87, except it was an Australian Army Kiowa. My friend and I ran out of class to go check it out. We talked to the pilots and they let us have a good gawk at the controls. Later our teacher gave us detention. Worth it :)
This thing is powerful and a serious workhorse. Flew in 57's in the 101st and i got blown off the top of a truck while slingloading to the CH-57. Lots of static electricity too.
@@peterpetruzzi Blades beating against air molecules generates loads of static electricity. Airplane props do it too. Landing gear have a grounding strap that dissipates the charge, but in slinging operation the man on the ground is the first point of contact. They use a grounded rod for grabbing the hook on the helicopter, cause if you dont you get one hell of a hit
Did you mean to say you flew in CH-47 (aka Chinook) while in the 101st? I'm assuming since you're army airborne and the army doesn't have these, although the air force (in addition to the Marine Corps & Navy) does, and in many cases are the ones providing aviaton (especially if/when their ops require fixed-wing) assets in support of the army's operations, flying soldiers & their equipment, usually whenever logistics require the capacity to accommodate larger sized and/or heavier weighted payloads, the capability to travel longer distances; in-flight refueling; moving troops & equipment to be airdropped, especially en masse; as well as responsible for handling aspects such as recon, surveillance & Intelligence gathering; communications, radar, early-warning capabilities & also electronic warfare; the vast majority of (the primary) air-to-air warfighting & defense against airborne threats; the vast majority of their close air support, air strikes/precision strikes, & the capacity to more precisely deliver usually (much bigger, heavier & more powerful) ordinance, especially over longer distances & in far greater numbers... Also many of their forward air controllers/combat controllers, not to mention search-rescue/recovery and especially PJs (aka ParaRescue men) are all courtesy of USAF. And Im sure I still failed to mention yet other assets but you get the idea. But yeah anyways my bad I got WAY off the original question/subject... You said CH-57s, so I guess I just wasn't sure if you meant to say either US army CH-47 Chinooks, or if you were maybe even flying aboard a USAF CH-53 (particularly if it was a Pavelow)?? As both are the top 2 biggest, heaviest, most powerful rotor-wing aircraft in the entire US DoD inventory, and while they're drastocally different than one another, probably most of all in appearance, they also share many similar characteristics, one of which is the ability to sling-load heavy or oversized equipment from the belly of the aircraft, so that's the main reason I guess I couldn't discern which one you meant
I witnessed an amazing sight when I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey, steaming off the coast of Lebanon, the pilot of a departing CH-53 put the engines to max power and pulled the collective up as fast as he could that bird lifted off as if it was rocket powered, the pilots must have pulled some major g's
I flew in at least one of these birds when I was a sailor. Flew off of the Eisenhower to a base in Italy. I spent about 8 hours on a C-130 and about 19 hours on a C-141 Starlifter flying from The West Coast all the way to a base in Europe. I must have spent at least a total of 50 hours in the C-9. I also flew on a 747 that was booked by our Skipper just so we could smoke on the airplane and watch movies and chill. Commander Flynn was my favorite Skipper. That was the only time I have been to NY. But I did not leave the plane. It was a refueling stop and we could smoke on the plane.
I remember stallions choppers they are the best and always willing to be the best I hope they don't put them out of service that was my best chopper I ever flown it's good for maneuver incapacity nice video
High maintenance, due to 1970’s technology. They don’t like to sit, get them up and running and run them hard. FYI, Sikosky is building the successor, the CH-53K, still high maintenance, should come down once the bugs are worked out. Of the two types, I prefer the E, as I was a lot younger and tougher then, lol 😆
Stationed at San Mateo on Camp Pendleton from 1991 - 1994. These seemed the do continuous touch and go loops over us. There was an LZ up the hill with 20,000 lb concrete blocks that they would pick up and fly a loop, then drop them and fly another loop. Although I got tired of hearing them all the time, I love that distinct rotor sound.
The first minute 30 was like watching a clown car in reverse. The soldiers just kept coming, heading to the back, and disappearing into the belly of the beast. It's crazy just how many people you can cram into that thing.
every once in a while the nose gear gets stuck, so someone has to go under the helo and pry it down with a 2x4. I kept it by my desk, as Line division supervisor. but the rotor wash is like going through a hurricane, but beware, there is a dead zone in the middle. very little wind. if you aren't careful, you will get a face full of flight line, once you get through the air wall. HM-14. 79-85 they were reliable, as long as they were running. but shut them down and come back in the morning, and all the drip pans are full, as if someone bled all the systems. sitting still is what breaks them.
Back in the late 80s I lived about one mile from the United States marine helicopter Air Station in Tustin California. I loved it. They flew sea knights, chinooks and superstitions. The sound from the 53s is my favorite.
I was most fortunate at ages 19-26...this bird along with the CH-46 was my transportation going into LZ,s..first time on a mission in one was in the Philippines in 1981...U.S.M.C. 0311, Rifleman/ or better know as a Grunt..
@@MissionaryForMexico I went to boot camp in San Diego. I guarded nukes at NSB Bangor WA and eventually went to 3/5 at Camp Margerita at Pendelton. Interestingly, one of my buddies while I was in was born at Parris Island and his dad was a Sgt Major there. Munford was his last name.
@@sssbob was never there very long accept for one year, beautiful and tropical. Most of our time aboard ship in south east Asia. And did to fly aways in Okinawa at camp Hansen as first air alert battalion. I rode around entire island during memorial weekend, took two days, about 140 miles.
Used to handle variants of these at RAF St Athan in the mid 90s transiting from Germany to Castle Martin. Two man see in. One to marshal and one to hold the marshaller upright.
watching blades downward slope deflecting down adding slight downpresure, to level, to deflecting slope upward supporting lifting the weight. no doubt without the centrifugal forces the fragile blades wouldn't be able to support the massive weight of the bird +fuel and the heavy cargo. kinda neat
Since I counted 30 troops with combat gear boarding the one rotorcraft, they must be able to transport a rifle platoon between the two. Impressive. Beats swimming ashore.
Thing looks like it should be flying around in space. What a jaw-dropping, incredible piece of machinery. Looks like it could pick up a mountain. How much fuel was wasted by them just sitting there running for 30min?
@@pimpinaintdeadhoThe feminism and political correctness that has infected American society keep pushing for it. Women soldiers are a possibly lethal distraction who would dangerously weaken infantry & other frontline forces. They cannot physically & mentally endure on the battlefield, and fight as ultimate warriors, against male opponents and physical environments determined to kill you.
Refreshing to find aviation video with real audio, this alone puts you a level above all the aviation channels edited by 10 year olds and their lame music 👍
When I was stationed at MCAS New River in North Carolina pretty much every Friday we had what we called "the Lobster Run" that flew to Boston then returned on Sunday. They'd drop me off and pick me up at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. I love knowing that my parents got to see their son being dropped off and picked up by a helicopter bigger than what they fly the President around in.
My friend made a career out of flying these things in the Navy. He told me they were easy to fly because they weren't twitchy and were very predictable. Much easier than a Blackhawk he said.
Why is this design better than the Chinook’s? If the Chinook doesn’t need a tail rotor and devotes more energy to lift, then why did this design win? Why not just have a bigger Chinook?
@@ryanm9371 A single rotor helicopter can not have a mid air collision with itself. But yes, the twin rotor is more efficient. If the twin rotor has a failure of the sync shaft, the aircraft and crew are a dead before they hit the ground. If a single rotor has a failure of the tail rotor drive shaft, an autorotation can be performed.
@@gigsnsht it's the same thing with very mi or differences. It's not like they are totally different designs. Blackhawk or Seahawks or tarantulahawk I know what the dude meant.
Wow《☆》The Pilots must have been eating breakfast during that long ground run. 2 sausage mcmuffins 2 hashbrowns 2 milks Large Coffee Ready 4 Takoff TallyHo✌🏼😎☯️🇺🇸☯️🇺🇸☯️
We used this to haul an M198 howitzer when I was in the Marines. It can pick up 8 tons and all that guns equipment and the entire 8 man crew or more. It's a heavy lift chopper... Screw the Osprey... its shit compared to one of these... why they went to it is beyond me...
@@einundsiebenziger5488Actually, often they are! (With up to 3 MG's) As well as the Marines that they transport. And i'm sure that the "jist" of the comment was, "American 'military' Might/Muscle" 😊😊❤❤
What an absolute behemoth. Legendary.
I was qualified as a load master for the CH53. It truly is an amazing craft. The blades are so strong that even though you can stand under, it feels like they are really close to your head.
I love that satisfying moment in all the chaos of movement and noise when watching a helicopter run up when the notes change and the blades start loading and flexing up just before you see them pitch and lift the mass into the air whilst the blades in the tail all pitch to counteract it.
Can we just take a moment and appreciate the fact that these things can fly at all. What an amazing feat of engineering.
Designed by Sikorsky. a Russian defector to the USA'
That’s to funny,this is what I said every time I got on one! 😎🤙
Every time I see any plans fly I say that
Choppers are just myriad parts flying together in close formation.
I’ll say that if we can build something that doesn’t require 10 hours maintenance for every hour of operation.
I was part of the crew while serving in the Marines 72-76 1st MAW Futenma Okinawa, I am fascinated by anything that flies. Futenma supplied all of the helicopters for the Saigon evacuation, in April 1975. Watching the embassy video those helicopters came from Futenma, Ch46, HMM-164 I was present in that bird many times on Okinawa.
Congratulations 😊
That’s an awesome story. I was stationed on Foster just down the road, though a few years later than yourself. Okinawa is a special place.
George, we watched this video tor a long time, and nothing dramatic happened. Hmmm ...
One of my favorite helicopters. Along with the Chinook, Blackhawk, and Sikorsky S92.
I like the Chinook.
Too bad the army didn’t renew the Blackhawk contract.
I knew the CH-53 was huge but seeing how big it is compared ro soldiers just shows how much if a beast it is.
Beautiful Bird! I was on the USAF MH-53 Pavelow…Awesome Bird and Classy Lady! Oh How I Miss Thee!!!
I'm a single engine pilot and was ATC in the Army. I've been aboud a lot of 64's and 60's, these, not so much. The freaking tail rotor is huge, in inself.
I spent seven years in the Corps and the first half was with the 5th Marines. I had many opportunities to fly in the CH-53's and oh, what an experience! That was in the 80's and they have gotten much more powerful, since then.
How about the new version supposed to carry more cargo ( and more power ?)
Flew in these while in the Corps as well. Got rescued in a blizzard while in Bridgeport, CA doing the cold weather/mountain warfare training. Crazy, buried the landing gear had to get to the back gate by snowshoes pull them off sink past your waist then pull yourself into the bird. Crazy time back in the late 70’s. Great memories now!
Was with 3/5 in the 80’s as well, flew in these beast and the CH46 and had similar story up at Winter Warfare training. Jump off the back ramp and wait for the rotor wash to subside enough to be able to stand up and collect your gear.
I flew into Afghanistan on one of these back in 2001. That sound is absolutely epic. Thanks for sharing!
So you were there in the beginning? FOB Rhino? What all went on with the insertion and what was the experience like being there?
@@jacoballen3267 I remember we left the ship (Peleliu) late in the evening/night. The flight in was between 3-4hrs. I was sitting second from the front and had a good view of the FLIR between the pilots. We were flying LOW. Some time in the flight we all heard the 50 open up and thought we were in the shit; we weren’t, crew was function checking before we went feet dry. I remember we tried to refuel and were unable for some reason. Being behind that C-130 was otherworldly in terms of the way the 53 felt in flight, very bumpy. The next day we heard that our bird was so low on fuel that we would not have been able to do much if things went south. Anyway, the insertion went very smoothly as SEALS and Rangers had already had eyes on and most of the enemy was located up north a ways. Gen Mattis came out the next day and walked the lines. He said our insertion looked like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. I’m assuming his command/control bird was loitering as we all inserted. Good times. I sincerely miss those days and Marines.
@@benjamincheney Dude, I know the feeling. I went to the island a little over a year after your insertion. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve found and looked at the airstrip on Google Earth and wonder if we’ll have to go back and retake it because we ended up being attacked again. I worry that it WILL
happen again. My brother, I thank you for doing what had to be done there. Unfortunately I did not get deployed out to there, and I’ve questioned myself a lot since, so I have sincere respect to my brothers and sisters who did. Semper Fi
I live in a condo complex one mile away from Sikorsky's where these are manufactured here in Connecticut. In fact my first Accounting job was at Sikorsky's where I had to track the costs of rotor blade hubs machined at subcontractors. When they are testing these 53's, and the Blackhawks, it is a sight of beauty them flying over our complex. The sound of the rotors is amazing. Kudos to Igor Sikorsky for his ingenuity building these 100 years ago.. Hi from Bob in Connecticut
That's pretty cool Bob. You've gotta tell us how much those hubs are worth though. :p
@@TheTruthKiwi Hi Truth. That was 46 years ago. However, the company I work for now we supply the main rotor and tail rotor de-icing wire to a company who then sells it to Sikorsky's. Hi from Bob in Connecticut.
@@bobkrakovich1851 Ok, keep your secrets Bob :p Haha just joking mate, nice line of work you're in there. Must be very interesting. G'day from New Zealand.
I lived at New River Air Station in Jacksonville NC when i was a kid in the 80s. My dad was stationed at HMM 262 ugly angels. I loved watching them roar over the house with M 35's slung under them.
Some excellent machines and some excellent maintenance personnel as well 👍 Hoorah 💥💥💥
Tail rotor on this thing is as big as the main rotor on the OH-58 I crewed in the army. Only got to work with one of these once on a joint mission but it was awesome to watch fly.
I only saw these a couple times myself while I was in the army. I was a cav scout and two of these flew over my hide. I was in my Bradley and got a good look at it with my optics. They are enormous. Make Blackhawks look small
Also larger than the prop of a B-29.
I always find this helicopter just incredible, even though it isn’t the biggest rotorwing in the world. Love watching these machines in operation.
While in theC Marines from 1975 until 1987 I got to fly on the Ch-53C Sea Stallion, the CH-53D Sea Stallion, and CH54E Super Stallion. Those great birds to be on
Was flown around the UK and Germany on the Jolly Green Giant version of the CH-53 many times. A great cab, lovely rid.
Scary - Fierce - Tough. 2 pilots, 1 cabin crew + 21 parachutists, complete with individual equipment. I've flown with the CH 53 before. I like it on. Thank you US NAVY. 👍👍
So couple inaccuracies in your comment. 1 we never fly with 1 crew chief unless in and FCF status. This was our aircraft off the 24th MEU working with the Brits. We generally fly with a mix of crew chiefs and aerial observers. Secondly this is not a naval aircraft it’s a Marine aircraft. The Naval version is the MH-53 Sea Stallion which has largely been phased out and replaced by the MH-60 for minesweeping anti sub operations. Just wanted to clear that up, as someone who still currently flies on these big irons at just passed about 2200 flight hours.
@@GDub356 Thank you Mr. Robert Wills. Look, Indonesia doesn't have the Chinook Super Stallion Helicopter yet. When I was a volunteer in Aceh after the Tsunami Disaster. Boarded CH 53 on the USS Abraham L.
I wrote what I saw and knew, of course I don't understand the CH 53 variant, between US Navy interests and USMC. Comment before this due to limited word count, recorrect, USS Abraham Lincoln.
Thank You mr Robert Wills.
Are you CH - 53 Pilot ?
I counted 30 getting in?
I can’t get over how many fully loaded soldiers that thing carries.
55 troops with the full kit! a range of about 750 miles. as fast as a Huey cobra!
30
Marines are always loaded ha
Mil mi 26. 86 voll ausgerüstete Soldaten.
@@kateffenmoglich971 not really lol
Great Video 👏👏 I was with HSL-40 (HSM-40 as of 11/01/2009) in Mayport, Florida . Such a smooth ride because of it's weight. Thank You for taking the Video.
Thank you for watching and commenting 👍
I like how “eco” mode is engaged while idling 😂 Absolutely love these helicopters!
I was an avionics tech rep on this model with the Navy's first helicopter squadron (HC-1) on NAS North Island from 1984 to 1987. The best and most interesting job I ever had. This helo can lift 32,000 pounds and go 50 miles with it. It had much of the drive train that was originally designed for a more powerful Skycrane, the Army's CH54 Tarhe. The Marines wanted to originally only buy 49 of these models for a few special heavy operations so they didn't want to spend a lot for a whole new helo design just modify the older two engined CH 53D. Not much time and money was spent to make it a high reliability and ease of maintenance helo either by the USMC since only 49 were required and were not going to be used very often. later the USMC decided they want many more. They did have several flaws that were eventually worked out, as most new models of anything do.
@NotParticularlyAmused I was the avionics Sikorsky rep at Tustin for a few months at Tustin near the end of 1987. I replaced Harry Macelroy. Do you remember the AFCS problem that occured to many but not all the CH53Es around 1985 or 86? One of your fellow Marines called it morning sickness. I was sent from a Navy squadron in North Island San Diego to fix this problem that was plaguing a few helos on the USS Okinawa. I got on the ship at Perth Australia and got off in Hong Kong. Were you on that deployment?
I find it amazing that the entire weight of that aircraft and everything in it is supported only by the main rotor shaft thrust bearings. I'd love to see that mechanism up close.
It weighs 17 tons empty
There's 4 crew, 30 infantry
Avg weigh is about 170 lb a man and they carry about 150 to 200 lb in gear
That's 5 tons of just Marines.
It can lift about 7 tons
4300 shaft horsepower turning seven main blades and four tail.
$20,000 an hour to operate.
Between the sound and the turbulence I thought it was going to come on done any second every second I was onboard.
@@David-wk6md that's great info, thanks. I can't imagine what it must feel like taking a ride in one of those things. Really is an awesome piece of machinery.
@@torino390
You're welcome.
check your local base, they offer tours.
If you know a service member you could be their guest for a day.
Is there a single bearing only or set of bearing?
@@thakurboys5962 I've no idea, I can't seem to find any information on the mechanics of it. If I do find anything I'll post a link.
These are the size of a bus. A Greyhound bus.
I got the privilege of directing one of these to land in an open field in Camp Lejeune back in the 90s.
Truly an awesome experience.
Good ole' hurry up and wait Marines. Long pre-flight check. Flew in these many times back in my Marine Corps days. I love the smell of hydraulic fluid in the morning! Super cool! Semper Fi my Marine Corps brethren!
Even with several years as a Crew Chief on A-10s, I can't decide which I love more; The A-10 or the CH-53E - especially the PAVELOW models. Just incredible machines. Although after talking with rotor mechs, they say that the H-53s and H-3 leak oil inside like it was its primary job.
One of those if it ain't leaking then it's completely dry, lol.
Well, when you decide be sure to let everyone know 👍
I consider the H-53 the A-10 of the rotorwing world.
A hulking roaring *beast.* who is ugly to outsiders, and beautiful to us who love aviation. Military or otherwise.
My top 3 alltime favorite helicopters.
The one thing that sucks with this video is that one cannot truly grasp what this helicopter truly sounds like... you can feel the noise when boots-on-ground... AND IT'S INTIMIDATING!!!!!!
Thanks for capturing this and sharing!
Yeah it is a beast for sure, was an awesome thing to see!
Usaf ch53 h3 mechanic here. Yes they have a very loud beat to them. The tail rotor blades are also very large.
I love the idle / flat-pitch sound, same with the MV-22 Ospreys - it’s kinda sinister as they chop through the air waiting for that collective movement lol. Then boom, you’re lifting a small house 🤣
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I remember when they went on their first cruise. Flew off my ship back to the states for separation leave. You are so right, they'll pin you into your seats!
When I was a kid living in Yokosuka Naval base. One of these flew low over the houses and landed in our school play ground. They let us check it out while waiting for a fuel truck.
Good ole yoko, I misss me some beef bowl and the all night arcades.
Cool. The same thing happened at my high school football field in 87, except it was an Australian Army Kiowa. My friend and I ran out of class to go check it out. We talked to the pilots and they let us have a good gawk at the controls. Later our teacher gave us detention. Worth it :)
I was stationed in Atsugi attached to the USS Midway there in Yokosuka..
I had one for Christmas
That must have been way cool!!!
My first squadron in the Navy in the late 70s was H-53s out of Norfolk, VA as a young airman.
I would say that at 12:00 is probably not the right time to say you have to go for a pee.
Brings back great memories for me:-) New River Air Station 1972-1975 with MABS-26. Loved those flying behemoths. ...
Der absolut beste Hubschrauber der WELT!!! The absolutely best helicopter in the WORLD!!!
This thing is powerful and a serious workhorse. Flew in 57's in the 101st and i got blown off the top of a truck while slingloading to the CH-57. Lots of static electricity too.
Static electricity? How so? Static from the amount of air being pushed around?
@@peterpetruzzi Blades beating against air molecules generates loads of static electricity. Airplane props do it too. Landing gear have a grounding strap that dissipates the charge, but in slinging operation the man on the ground is the first point of contact. They use a grounded rod for grabbing the hook on the helicopter, cause if you dont you get one hell of a hit
Wow
@@patrickcamp5885 thnx for the detailed explanation 🤙
Did you mean to say you flew in CH-47 (aka Chinook) while in the 101st? I'm assuming since you're army airborne and the army doesn't have these, although the air force (in addition to the Marine Corps & Navy) does, and in many cases are the ones providing aviaton (especially if/when their ops require fixed-wing) assets in support of the army's operations, flying soldiers & their equipment, usually whenever logistics require the capacity to accommodate larger sized and/or heavier weighted payloads, the capability to travel longer distances; in-flight refueling; moving troops & equipment to be airdropped, especially en masse; as well as responsible for handling aspects such as recon, surveillance & Intelligence gathering; communications, radar, early-warning capabilities & also electronic warfare; the vast majority of (the primary) air-to-air warfighting & defense against airborne threats; the vast majority of their close air support, air strikes/precision strikes, & the capacity to more precisely deliver usually (much bigger, heavier & more powerful) ordinance, especially over longer distances & in far greater numbers... Also many of their forward air controllers/combat controllers, not to mention search-rescue/recovery and especially PJs (aka ParaRescue men) are all courtesy of USAF. And Im sure I still failed to mention yet other assets but you get the idea. But yeah anyways my bad I got WAY off the original question/subject... You said CH-57s, so I guess I just wasn't sure if you meant to say either US army CH-47 Chinooks, or if you were maybe even flying aboard a USAF CH-53 (particularly if it was a Pavelow)?? As both are the top 2 biggest, heaviest, most powerful rotor-wing aircraft in the entire US DoD inventory, and while they're drastocally different than one another, probably most of all in appearance, they also share many similar characteristics, one of which is the ability to sling-load heavy or oversized equipment from the belly of the aircraft, so that's the main reason I guess I couldn't discern which one you meant
I witnessed an amazing sight when I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey, steaming off the coast of Lebanon, the pilot of a departing CH-53 put the engines to max power and pulled the collective up as fast as he could that bird lifted off as if it was rocket powered, the pilots must have pulled some major g's
My favorite chopper and when theyre coming you know it those rotor blades have a sound all of their own!
One time a three-ship of them flew low over my house in a hurry to get somewhere. Things fell off shelves.
superb helicopter with amazing technology.
I flew in at least one of these birds when I was a sailor. Flew off of the Eisenhower to a base in Italy. I spent about 8 hours on a C-130 and about 19 hours on a C-141 Starlifter flying from The West Coast all the way to a base in Europe. I must have spent at least a total of 50 hours in the C-9. I also flew on a 747 that was booked by our Skipper just so we could smoke on the airplane and watch movies and chill. Commander Flynn was my favorite Skipper. That was the only time I have been to NY. But I did not leave the plane. It was a refueling stop and we could smoke on the plane.
That is one gnarly looking aircraft.
I remember stallions choppers they are the best and always willing to be the best I hope they don't put them out of service that was my best chopper I ever flown it's good for maneuver incapacity nice video
Very good video! And I heard a TD5 engine start up right at the end of the video…a proper Land Rover defender!
It was a td5🤣 the people behind me were standing on the roof rack to film the helicopters.
I worked on these in the 90s. Amazing aircraft...high maintenance...
yes which is very unfortunate, that maintenance must of been some sort of insurance for the helicopter company to never have to work again.
High maintenance, due to 1970’s technology. They don’t like to sit, get them up and running and run them hard. FYI, Sikosky is building the successor, the CH-53K, still high maintenance, should come down once the bugs are worked out. Of the two types, I prefer the E, as I was a lot younger and tougher then, lol 😆
@@duanepierson4375 đẹp nhất thế giới tôi rất mê nó một ngày nào đó tôi sẽ mua
@@duanepierson4375 oh-aah thanks for sharing your story … yeah dude. 😎🇺🇸✌🏽
I work and fly on them now. Pain in the ass to work on but they do fly like a dream
RIP Lawrence M Rolle, CH53 pilot and my friend. You are not forgotten. (Murph of the Kings Men)
Man for you all to even experience flying anything like this you're very fortunate you're f****** rock stars really
Looking forward to flying this one day. Thanks for video
amazing Sikorsky CH-53E ...This helicopter looks very big
It is pretty big, but only about half the size of a Mil Mi-26, the largest most powerful helicopter in the world.
That will always be me favorite Helo, what a bad beast, makes a Blackhawk look like a dragonfly
Stationed at San Mateo on Camp Pendleton from 1991 - 1994. These seemed the do continuous touch and go loops over us. There was an LZ up the hill with 20,000 lb concrete blocks that they would pick up and fly a loop, then drop them and fly another loop. Although I got tired of hearing them all the time, I love that distinct rotor sound.
The first minute 30 was like watching a clown car in reverse. The soldiers just kept coming, heading to the back, and disappearing into the belly of the beast. It's crazy just how many people you can cram into that thing.
the max number is 200.
That's the record carried by a CH-53A.
10:18. Same ‘take off’ time as my wife leaving a parking space.
Lol
😆👍
Thank you for that. LMAO
LMAO, the one I stop for at Target to get the spot,,,, hahahha
🤣🤣🤣awesome
The Ch 53is one of my favorite helicopter s that and the Ah 64 apache.
The plume of dirty exhaust smoke smoke gives it all a very war-pig vibe.😀
We mostly rode in the 46. The 53 was like riding in a Cadillac. Semper Fi Marines
every once in a while the nose gear gets stuck, so someone has to go under the helo and pry it down with a 2x4. I kept it by my desk, as Line division supervisor.
but the rotor wash is like going through a hurricane, but beware, there is a dead zone in the middle. very little wind. if you aren't careful, you will get a face full of flight line, once you get through the air wall. HM-14. 79-85
they were reliable, as long as they were running. but shut them down and come back in the morning, and all the drip pans are full, as if someone bled all the systems. sitting still is what breaks them.
Back in the late 80s I lived about one mile from the United States marine helicopter Air Station in Tustin California. I loved it. They flew sea knights, chinooks and superstitions. The sound from the 53s is my favorite.
Which is the "Superstition"??😮
The action starts at 10:20.
Thanks. Lol
Sorry but it is all Action . . .
@@GlennMichaelHasting Not for everyone😀
Surely we can get our boys to the front faster. I'da had the thing airborne as the last boot left the soil. 🦾😎
@@brucerideout9979They had to serve the Drinks & Peanuts, first!!😮😢😅😅😂😂😊❤❤❤
I was most fortunate at ages 19-26...this bird along with the CH-46 was my transportation going into LZ,s..first time on a mission in one was in the Philippines in 1981...U.S.M.C. 0311, Rifleman/ or better know as a Grunt..
Love from California!! Love you Marines!!
Aahh, memories. Rode in quite a few of these big beautiful bastards!
I got a ride in one of these in boot camp in '83. It's a monster.
I started same time, were you at Parris?
@@MissionaryForMexico I went to boot camp in San Diego. I guarded nukes at NSB Bangor WA and eventually went to 3/5 at Camp Margerita at Pendelton. Interestingly, one of my buddies while I was in was born at Parris Island and his dad was a Sgt Major there. Munford was his last name.
@@sssbob Kool, I did my time at 1/3 Kaneohe bay h&s co. Did west pacs, spent much time in south east Asia.
@@MissionaryForMexico I wish I could've been stationed in HI.
@@sssbob was never there very long accept for one year, beautiful and tropical. Most of our time aboard ship in south east Asia. And did to fly aways in Okinawa at camp Hansen as first air alert battalion. I rode around entire island during memorial weekend, took two days, about 140 miles.
Used to handle variants of these at RAF St Athan in the mid 90s transiting from Germany to Castle Martin.
Two man see in. One to marshal and one to hold the marshaller upright.
My favorite military transport helicopter
THE KING IS THE CH-47. Here is the Master Ninja.
That 5 minutes of it just sitting there was incredible 😏
They’re making sure the Marines had enough crayons to eat. 😂
@@truckr74 😂🤣😭
I had 2 of these fly low over my apt when I was younger and it shook the place. Beefy helicopters.
watching blades downward slope deflecting down adding slight downpresure, to level, to deflecting slope upward supporting lifting the weight.
no doubt without the centrifugal forces the fragile blades wouldn't be able to support the massive weight of the bird +fuel and the heavy cargo. kinda neat
thank you for pointing that out to me. It just made that that more enjoyable...
What did you just say 🤪
Jk nice to see that someone knows their shit about shit that i don’t know shit about😫
@@danielgoudge8465 if your illiteracy also covers physics,engineering there's hope but not much
Ride on in them in the Marines as well as the Chinook! Good times! 18 and it was all an adventure! Semper Fi!
Since I counted 30 troops with combat gear boarding the one rotorcraft, they must be able to transport a rifle platoon between the two. Impressive. Beats swimming ashore.
the climb capabilities of that thing while loaded is crazy.
Good driils. An Amazing machine 👍Go to it!!! We jump 53👍👍👍👍
Flashback of my days in the Marines, Camp Pendleton & 29 Palms, Calif.
Amazing shot! Transformers looking choppers!
Grindor was a CH-53E so you are correct
I was a crew chief on my old Black Stallions HC 4 Air Station Siginella Siscially.
Gotta love them birds they look badass. 😎🇺🇸✌🏽
THATS A GOOD LOAD! John P.
One Company makes those. Brilliant Man.
Thing looks like it should be flying around in space. What a jaw-dropping, incredible piece of machinery. Looks like it could pick up a mountain. How much fuel was wasted by them just sitting there running for 30min?
The fact that a full platoon of fully equipped fighting men/women just got into one heli is Amazing!!!!
Forget the political correctness. No women in that Marine Corp infantry platoon.
took that long to get in the air ! shot down , no problem !!!!!!
@@victorparker308 Why is everyone so hell bent on putting women on the front lines?
@@pimpinaintdeadhoThe feminism and political correctness that has infected American society keep pushing for it. Women soldiers are a possibly lethal distraction who would dangerously weaken infantry & other frontline forces. They cannot physically & mentally endure on the battlefield, and fight as ultimate warriors, against male opponents and physical environments determined to kill you.
@@walkfaster No they don't. Look at pregnancy rates of women about to get deployed.
Refreshing to find aviation video with real audio, this alone puts you a level above all the aviation channels edited by 10 year olds and their lame music 👍
Cool angle at 10:00 showing the blades bending upwards right before takeoff.
Ya kept us hangin but the wait was worth it.
I remember back in the 80’s when the Americans showed up in Beirut… they use to fly those going full speed in between buildings….
Dang, how many guys can fit in that thing!
What impressed me is that it can accommodate more than 30 heavily armoured soldiers absolute monster
Russian Mil MI-26 says: Hold my Beer!
When I was stationed at MCAS New River in North Carolina pretty much every Friday we had what we called "the Lobster Run" that flew to Boston then returned on Sunday. They'd drop me off and pick me up at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. I love knowing that my parents got to see their son being dropped off and picked up by a helicopter bigger than what they fly the President around in.
Well, Now we know Where part of the National DEBT WENT 😮😮😅😅😢😢😂😂
Those are some badass birds!
This is tied with the Chinook for my favorite utility helicopter.
My friend made a career out of flying these things in the Navy. He told me they were easy to fly because they weren't twitchy and were very predictable. Much easier than a Blackhawk he said.
Why is this design better than the Chinook’s? If the Chinook doesn’t need a tail rotor and devotes more energy to lift, then why did this design win? Why not just have a bigger Chinook?
@@ryanm9371 A single rotor helicopter can not have a mid air collision with itself. But yes, the twin rotor is more efficient. If the twin rotor has a failure of the sync shaft, the aircraft and crew are a dead before they hit the ground. If a single rotor has a failure of the tail rotor drive shaft, an autorotation can be performed.
@@gigsnsht it's the same thing with very mi or differences. It's not like they are totally different designs. Blackhawk or Seahawks or tarantulahawk I know what the dude meant.
@@ryanm9371 maybe load range speed ?? just my guess?
I tell you, they are the Cadillac of helicopters
I was one of the crew chiefs in the left gun of aircraft 23🤘🏻
Wow, the power is daunting!
Wow《☆》The Pilots must have been eating breakfast during that long ground run. 2 sausage mcmuffins 2 hashbrowns 2 milks Large Coffee Ready 4 Takoff TallyHo✌🏼😎☯️🇺🇸☯️🇺🇸☯️
Sound as McDonald breakfasts, right?!!!!!!
Not only the American hardware is better designed then others but everything is awesome looking also. Even the A10 has a charm of its own.
Yep, that's the truth. As a third worlder, american made or designed technology products are just better.
... better designed than*
@@einundsiebenziger5488 better than the competition or what Soviet Union/ Russia had
This helicopter looks like a final boss.
We used this to haul an M198 howitzer when I was in the Marines. It can pick up 8 tons and all that guns equipment and the entire 8 man crew or more. It's a heavy lift chopper... Screw the Osprey... its shit compared to one of these... why they went to it is beyond me...
Absolutely awesome!
Now THAT’S a helicopter! ;-)
Heluvacopter.
Вертолеты Сикорского неподражаемы. Слава и почет конструктору.
American fire power unmatched Awesome!
That thing is unarmed. No firepower at all.
@@einundsiebenziger5488Actually, often they are! (With up to 3 MG's) As well as the Marines that they transport. And i'm sure that the "jist" of the comment was, "American 'military' Might/Muscle" 😊😊❤❤
Wow. A sight to behold
That's when you call the in the Heavy hitters 😮
Beautiful Beast, an amazing piece of kit