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Description
| Notes: CH-53D with external fuel tanks and amcm equipment. | |||
| Manufacturer: | Sikorsky |
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| Base model: | H-53 | ||
| Designation: | RH-53 | ||
| Version: | D | ||
| Nickname: | Sea Stallion | ||
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | ||
| Designation Period: | 1948-Present | ||
| Basic role: | Helicopter | ||
| Modified Mission: | Reconnaissance | ||
| Crew: | 7 | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 88' 2" | 26.8 m | |
| Height: | 24' 11" | 7.5 m | |
| Wingspan: | 72' 3" | 22.0 m | |
| Wingarea: | 4,070.0 sq ft | 378.0 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 23,485 lb | 10,650 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 36,400 lb | 16,507 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 42,000 lb | 19,047 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | General Electric T64-GE-413 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 3925 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 665 miles | 1,070 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 173 mph | 278 km/h | 150 kt |
| Max Speed: | 196 mph | 315 km/h | 170 kt |
| Ceiling: | 12,450 ft | 3,794 m | |
Operators (Past and Present)
| USMC | HM-18 | Norfolk | VA |
| USMC | HM-19 | Alameda | CA |
| USMC | HMH-772 det | Alameda | CA |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Air Victory Museum | Medford | New Jersey |
RH-53D on display
Air Victory Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| JP Foley Bradford, MA | I was an AMS in maintenance with MCMUB in 1976, and became a plank owner in HM-16 when it was formed. I have fond memories of the RH-53D.
Once when we were in the Virgin Islands, the bird I was flying in had to land with a stuck nose gear. The pilot placed the main gear on the deck, which were then chocked while deck crew pried the nose gear out and pinned it. Everything turned out fine, but it was hairy When we were in France, one of the birds had some nav issues and was lost. The sun set. They hit bingo fuel and had to cut the sled loose and land the bird in a parking lot. Then they phoned the tower where I was working so we could send a fuel truck. I still have the clippings from the French newspaper in Toulon. I hope everyone is well. I didn't think there was anything out there to prove we ever existed. Cheers, JP 09/02/2008 @ 16:38 [ref: 22597] |
| Dale Cooper Hagerstown, MD | I was assigned to HM-12 from 1975 until 1978. It was still a somewhat new squadron. The aircraft bore the tail letters DH. DH for Dave Humphry, the first HM-12 skipper. Our local call sign was "Brickstone" plus tha AC side number, which then was a 2 digit # fromm 00 to 24. Delta Hotel was of course our travel and deployed call sign. I was an AD-3 at the time and aircrewman. The air borne mine counter measures mission we flew was very demanding on the aircrew and pilots as well. It was murderous in the heat, and freezing in the cold. The original AC we had were borrowed CH-53's from the Marines. Shortly before I got there we got the RH-53D Sea Stallions with T64-GE-413A engines. About 18 months later we upgrade to the more powerful 415's. Additional mission requirements included external vertical repenishment, internal cargo transport includind logisitic transport of nukes, troop transport, and medivacs.In the early days the Navy had no parts contract with Sikorsky. Spare parts had to be direct purchase. This took forever. Cannabolization of parts was common. One day a mishap occured while townib A/C 10 from the hanger. The horizontal tail stabilizer collided with same on A/C 12. We parts robbed them almost to the frames before the skipper said"ENOUGH". A/C 10 finally flew again after being down for almost 3 years. I will always remember my service there. Although a nightmare to work on, to fly in the Sea Stallion was wonderful. Big and fast. It was a wonderful sound when those big GE's were suckin' and puffin'. 11/26/2007 @ 08:41 [ref: 18668] |
| AE2 class Merritt colorado, CO | I was an avaition electrican's mate with HM-19 NAS ALAMEDA, oh the memories! I've been searching for information on an RH-53 that crashed in 1989-89 in Half Moon Bay, California. The aircrew man was Kevin Johnson a friend of mine. GOLDENBEARS RULE!
07/30/2007 @ 21:26 [ref: 17372] |
| David Burgie Windsor, CT | Hi I was with HM-12 Det. 2 then HM-16 till March 1980
I both loved and hated the 53's we had I would love to hear from others, you can Email me at daveburgie@yahoo.com Dave 05/08/2007 @ 06:38 [ref: 16430] |
| Gary T Fenton, MI | Good photos. I recognize some of the guys from the photos. Eddy 'Goat' and Kratzer. I was a plane captain for one of the helicopters. The Marines were tasked with confiscating cameras that day, nice to see someone snapped a couple anyway. The photo of the sand colored birds was taken late in the afternoon and it was the only time they were on deck with that paint scheme before they left on the mission. You can see they removed the EAPS (air filters) to save weight. We spent about 180 days continuously at sea without any time ashore. It was good to get back to land after that little adventure. 10/19/2006 @ 16:36 [ref: 14510] |
| BILL CHAPPELL KAPAA, HI | I WORKED ON H-53'S FROM 1979 TO 1992 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO HM-12,14,15,16,18,AND 19. I REMEMBER THE LONG HOURS WE PUT IN TEARING THOSE HELO'S DOWN WHEN WE SENT THEM OFF IN C-5'S TO THE IO FOR THE RESCUE MISSION.
I'M A PLANK OWNER WITH HM-15 . THATS WHEN HM-16 WAS DISBANDED AND WE MOVED CROSS COUNTRY FROM NORFOLK TO ALAMEDA BACK IN 87. ONE OF THE WORST MEMORIES I HAVE IS WHEN, ON JULY 18 1989, WE HAD A HELO GO DOWN IN THE SF BAY WITH A FULL CREW OUT DOING MINESWEEPING EXERCISES. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE WITH THE NAMES OF THE CREW ON IT AND WHEN I LOCATE IT I'LL POST IT HERE ALONG WITH SOME PICS OF THE H-53 . 02/10/2006 @ 16:36 [ref: 12462] |
| Mahdi Tehran, Iran, OTH | Dear Sir or Madam:
I work on hydraulic flight control systems of heavy helicopters specialy Sikorsky products.(RH-53D & SH-3d). I always say that:RH-53D is the ever-king of the sky. Last week I felt like crying when I saw a AFCS of a RH-53dthat was scraped because of a helicopter crash. Respectfully yours, 12/28/2005 @ 15:38 [ref: 12034] |
| David Wood , CA | Looking for a former Sikorsky employee who may have contributed to designing or working on the H-53 as it came into being ..... anyone know of such a person???? DEW 01/12/2005 @ 00:36 [ref: 9116] |
| jim fais psl, FL | Why is this rh-53d designated as a recon aircraft? It was used in the Airborne Mine Counter Measures community for years,configured with external extended range fuel tanks,hydraulic winches and capabilities to tow a sled or stream gear for the removal of moored mines, virtually being used as an airborne tow truck.They were awesome beasts to fly in and were extremely versatile aircraft when fitted as above.Also not used in this configuration by the airfoce but by the Navy airdales.hope this clarifies things a little. 12/22/2004 @ 00:41 [ref: 8930] |
| jim fais port saint lucie, FL | There was a reunion of sorts with the AMCM group involving a good number of former RH-53d crewmen. I will comment again once I dig out the info. thanks, Jim 12/22/2004 @ 00:31 [ref: 8929] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
