Sikorsky CH-53 Helicopter (question about an accessory part)

https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ch-53-1999416b3guys.jpg ^ | 4/16/18 | rebelbase

[Rebelbase]

Just had one of these fly over the house.

Question. What is the purpose of the tear-dropped accessory protrusion on the side--where the horse head is painted.

Anyone?....

Excerpted just to tweak gunner.

[cyclotic]

That thing looks powerful enough to rip off all your shingles

[Jeff Vader]

just above the door? looks like a breeze-eastern long line winch to me.

[patro]

It’s a rescue hoist.

[EQAndyBuzz]

The thing which says Vangu... with the horses head? That’s the cooler for their beers.

[Psalm 73]

It’s a fuel tank - they are outboard because of the tail ramp.

[Rebelbase]

That massive horizontal tear-dropped shaped extrusion in the background the man closest to the helicopter is walking towards.

[Psalm 73]

Oh, he means the hoist - I thought he was asking about the fuel sponson.

[PreciousLiberty]

It mostly contains fuel, and is also where the landing gear retracts...

[Rebelbase]

Sponson fuel tank! Everyone, thanks for playing.

This thing is huge. Heard it rumbling through the valley long before it arrived overhead.

[Psalm 73]

"That massive horizontal tear-dropped shaped..."

Where the fuel tanks are - in Hueys and Blackhawks they are in the aft cabin, but 53's have a ramp there, so they stick 'em on the outside.
They can also strap tanks inside for extra fuel, and/or they can have an aerial refueling boom.

[Psalm 73]

"Heard it rumbling through the valley long before it arrived overhead."

Then you'll love five at a time - that's a sight/sound to behold.

[cyclotic]

I met a guy once who flew those monsters.

I also just found out that a friend of mine from church is a retired Presidential helicopter pilot.

[richardtavor]

I liked the beer cooler answer best..

[Airwinger]

Fuel tanks enclosed in sponson,,,,climbed up on ‘em many times

[G Larry]

Asked my brother, (who was responsible for maintaining this specific S/N craft in Sicily) and he replied:

“It puts extra gas on the fire after they crash. Or in the engine if they do not.”

[Airwinger]

Unless he means the winch above crew door.......

[Kartographer]

That’s where captured enemy combatants ride.

[jonno]

FWIW, I found the CH-53s to be a MUCH more comfortable (passenger) ride than the CH-47s:

[PLMerite]

I think that's a CH-46.

This is a CH-47: