So ArtieS calls me the other day and says "Hey Tony, the air museum is getting a CH-53E on Wednesday!" He proceeds to connect me with a POC over at the museum (I didn't even know there was an air museum in Titusville) and we find out it's actually a MH-53E that's coming in. The airframe hit 10,000 flight hours and the aircraft is being retired and donated by The U.S. Navy.

For those of you that don't know, I spent my entire 9 years in The Marines as an avionics technician and aircrew on CH-53E's. It was the funnest job I ever had and I reflect on it often. The two helicopters are nearly identical and the only real differences are in the fuel tank configurations, the ramp, and the addition of huge rear view mirrors on the chin. The MH also has a large winch for towing minesweepers, and it takes up a huge chunk of cabin space. Other than that, the airframes and electronics are identical.

So my son and I , as well as another friend, head out this morning and we pay for admission to the museum and we find Marvin, ArieS' friend. He introduced us to a couple of other guys who maintain some of the other aircraft. After talking a while, they disclose that they know zero about 53's. The helicopter will remain fully functional but will be drained of fluids. They want to be able to tow it out for air shows and open houses and they want to be able to fold and unfold the blades.

They have no idea what they're in for! I explained how complicated of a process it is and they were pretty surprised that a rotor head could be so complex and so difficult to fold and unfold. I will probably head out there to help them when they need.

So the helicopter shows up and put on a brief show for the people who showed up to see it. They did a series of passes/fly-by's and some nice hard braking/nose-up demonstrations to show us what kind of power these things have. I was overcome with nostalgia and excitement! I couldn't stop smiling!

This was probably the only time my son would ever experience seeing this bird up-close and feeling the power, noise and smells of it actually operating in close proximity. I was actually shocked that they let the audience get so close to it while it taxi'd in for shut-down. we were standing no farther than 50 yards from it as it parked.

It shut down and smelled just like I remember them! The rumble, the exhaust, the oil and the hydraulic fluid brought it all back! Man, this thing was FILTHY! And the crew chief said it was one of the cleaner ones in the squadron! There wasn't one inch of that cabin and exterior that wasn't covered in hydraulic fluid! If it ain't leaking, its out of oil!

I had such a good day and I want to thank ArtieS for helping me make it happen! Thank you! Enjoy the pictures!

**Edit** Here is my video footage from that day.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: benny6, October 17, 2024 09:32 PM

Other aircraft...














The two guys on the right are volunteer maintenance workers. One was on B-52's and the other on UH-1's in Vietnam.

You recall if the A6 had Navy or MC markings?

This picture from 2012 shows it with Navy markings. The squadron designation has been painted over, but the knight's head on the tail indicates it might be from VA-52 "Knight Riders". Interesting that the drop tank has the VA-145 "Swordsmen" logo on the rear fin.

Ahhhh, fond CH-53 memories from my time at MCAS El Toro (lived in base housing on MCAS Tustin).


Lost count of how many “unscheduled landings” those big beauties made in the surrounding agricultural fields.

Also many fond memories of the most powerful helicopter in the free world. And I might just have made a couple of those unscheduled landings, but eventually limped back to Tustin.

quote:

Originally posted by W0lf53:
Also many fond memories of the most powerful helicopter in the free world. And I might just have made a couple of those unscheduled landings, but eventually limped back to Tustin.

HMH-466?

Sounds like an awesome day! I met Art and LR when I went to Florida this past summer. Great people.
Thanks for sharing the pics Tony. Really cool!

Very cool!

I like how they have actual Veterans that can give tours and talk about the very aircraft they flew on or worked on. The USAF Museum in Dayton, OH does that too.

Great story, Benny

Glad you could make it. It looks like your son had almost as good a day as you!

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by benny6:
It shut down and smelled just like I remember them! The rumble, the exhaust, the oil and the hydraulic fluid brought it all back! Man, this thing was FILTHY! And the crew chief said it was one of the cleaner ones in the squadron! There wasn't one inch of that cabin and exterior that wasn't covered in hydraulic fluid! If it ain't leaking, its out of oil!

I had such a good day and I want to thank ArtieS for helping me make it happen! Thank you! Enjoy the pictures!

Such an Awesome Post! Sounds like you had a quite a memorable day, and I'm sure it was all the more special being able to share it w/ your son! Were it me, I'm certain that seeing the awesome power of that bird again would've been an emotional experience that lit up all of my senses...I imagine I would've had to wipe a tear or two from the corner of my eye(s) too!

That Rotor Head is a VERY Impressive piece of engineering (and execution!)...EXTREMELY drool-worthy for this gear-head!

I'm glad you had a fun day with something from your past and can even share it with your son.

The closest thing I experienced was going back to Alameda Naval Air Station years after it was returned to civilian use. While there were still old buildings, there were new businesses like a coffee roasting place that I toured.

Strange feeling to see that way it was then superimposed on how I remembered where things were.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
You recall if the A6 had Navy or MC markings?

If you look at the picture with the F4 Phantom with my son in the picture, you'll see it in the background it has the knight head, NH, and USS Kitty Hawk painted on the fuselage.

Tony.

Thank you for the post and the pics! Are you sure you didn't mean to post this in the "porn" thread?

That MH-53 is a beast! The Udvar-Hazy Air & Space museum had an impressive display of war birds over the summer, but they didn't have one of these.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

...The Udvar-Hazy Air & Space museum had an impressive display of war birds over the summer, but they didn't have one of these.

I visited a month ago, saw a CH-46E inside. More avgeek porn:

https://airandspace.si.edu/col...og/nasm_I20151406001

I added my video footage in post number 1.

Enjoy!

Ok, why does a MH53E need two massive rear view mirrors hanging off the front?

Great pictures thanks for posting.