[BwanaNdege]

The 53’s are similar configuration to the Sea Stallions used by the Navy... had the opportunity to do a “Hollywood Jump” in 1976 during All American Week at 5,000 feet from one. Cramped but excellent for rescue operations.

The 53's ARE Sea Stallions, at least the CH-53D. THe CH-53E is called the Super Stallion and has three engines and seven main rotor blades vs the two engines and six main baldes of the CH-53D.

"Cramped"? Relative to what, a C-130, C-17 or C-5? The 53 cargo compartment, IIRC, is 25 feet long, 6.5 ft high and 7.5 ft wide. It has been 40 years since I last flew one, so my numbers may be a bit off. But I do remember carrying a jeep & trailer inside one.

I've also flown "Frogs", the CH-46. All Helos are "a group of spare parts flying in loose formation", a "mass of machinery which has been forced into the air against its will".

A lot of mechanical parts to break - far more than in a comparable fixed-wing aircraft. The main rotor mast on the CH-53D was subject to 300,000 lb-ft of torque. The centrifugal load on each rotor blade was 100,000 lbs.

Almost everything you ever wanted to know about the various Sikorsky H-53 models

[BwanaNdege]

BTW, although nothing over 90 degrees angle of bank was approved for Fleet pilots, when flown by factory pilots or Pax River Test Pilots, the CH-53D would do ‘aileron rolls’, barrel rolls, loops & Split-S.

I once saw 6,000 feet per minute rate of climb. (grins!)

[xone]

"Cramped"? Relative to what, a C-130, C-17 or C-5?

Thanks, was wondering what the hell he has been jumping out of if a shitter is cramped. Like a bowling alley in there.

[21twelve]

That is an amazing photo.

“Okay - now that you’ve figured out how to capture a 4-inch hose with your 8-inch basket at the end of a 40-foot pole getting knocked around in the wind and rotor blast all while going 120 mph - lets do it with two Humvees dangling below you!”