Posted on 10/13/2007 2:44:07 PM PDT by usmcobra
I've remember it's Bureau Number to this day just in case....
I checked the article for that particular Bureau number, but they didn't give it.
I wonder what the odds are that this is the same CH-53D.
By The way, for those of you that do check out the HMH-362 Crew they are some seriously looking Marines and everyone is armed.
A mighty bird.
Interesting article, what company manufactured it back in 68/69? And what the devil are they using for engine lubrication? Much of its service life was before synthetics — at least synthetics that were available on the consumer markets, not the mil markets. One awesome craft.
I think it was Fall of 97 that NAVAIR recomputed the life expectancy on all the F-14s and our jet came up at 106%. They made us strike the airplane on site. Too bad. It was still a great jet.
# 23 ?
68-10923*: One of two CH-53Cs modified to HH/MH-53H configuration to replace early losses (73-1647 and 73-1650); Currently in service with the 31st SOS at Osan AB, SKORE
CH-53 bump. Outstanding! Thanks for posting.
I loved watching the 53s during night ops on my ship. They look just like the dropship from the movie, “Aliens.”
The 23 referred in the article is just a side number used for reference within the squadron. It doesn't have any relationship to the actual unique bureau number of the aircraft.
Ok...I tried. Remembered a site that had such. Thought it may be same.
Thanks for the info !
My last flight in a Navy 46, we parked that particular aircraft, at 15,000 hours. The whole fleet had been SLEP'd to that. And I'm sure the Marine Phrogs are way past that now.
Still, 10,000 is impressive, especially with the conditions and optempo over there.
You know a website that list the aircraft by Bureau number?
Yeah but it looks like note number 3 relates no data on USMC versions........Sorry but here is HTML version vs the word document version.....
I was always amazed watching these big SOBs land on the ship.
I told Karl not to ride in helos, because they don’t really fly! I have some beauty pics of CH-53 helos 54, 59 and 69 landing at Haditha Dam if you’re interested (landing near the purple smoke grenade). Best part is the overturned porta-potties that the helos kicked over.
I’m retired EOD.....most of my time was in pavelow versions of the HH53’s. Autorotated in a few UH1 F models and when I retired the blackhawk aka pavehawk HH60 was new. I am in the Panhandle of Texas now watching the V-22 fly out of the Bell Amarillo facility every day....... They fly em here a whole lot and so far so good. Hopefully they have solved the problems .
Stay safe !!
BTW Thanks for the picture......:o)
Stay safe !
usmcobra
I told Karl not to ride in helos, because they dont really fly!
Helo’s are a large accumulation of parts throwing their wings around in circles waiting for something to fall off. The more that falls off, the lighter is it, the faster it flies.... Down. 8<)
(My son is in C5 flight repair out in Japan.)
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