Description
Notes: CH-53D with external fuel tanks and amcm equipment. | ||
  Manufacturer: | Sikorsky |
|
  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
James Poe , OK | I was an AE1 in HM-16 82-84. AO1 Higginbothom and I were in the AMCM Dept under SR Chief Deputy Dog Higgy ran the mechanical shop and I the MK 105 shop. We studied hard and made First Crewman at the same time. AE1 Johnny Mealer gave me my first crewman check ride. I remember Kevin Trefethan as a good guy. I had a hundred plus tow hours and the RH 53D was a wonderful bird. I loved flying in it. I recall every time we when cross country that big bird got a lot of attention. I also recall for a time we sang Ma Ma don't let your babies grow up to be MCM Crewman. lol Ret USNR and have less than a year to ret as a policeman. 11/30/2014 @ 17:17 [ref: 68793] |
Jeff Lloyd flint, MI | I was in HM16 in 82-84 had alot of good times, loved flying in those birds hated sweeping in them though. Had a crazy boss AO1 higginbothom wont talk about what he did in the PI lol 07/04/2014 @ 19:28 [ref: 68545] |
Edmond M. Beaudry Hastings, MN | !st crewman RH-53D,plank owner HM-16
great times @really bad times 11/21/2013 @ 17:37 [ref: 68178] |
Gus Achterberg PAX River, MD | I was a Marine stationed at NAS Alameda in 1990 when we took over owership of 7 RH-53D's. These aircraft replaced our old but loved CH-53A's. I took one of the RH's to NADEP Pensicola for a scheduled rework the other six were MODed up to go Desert Shield. We loaded six RH's in three C-5's hit the road running. Upon completion of Desert Storm we took four aircraft aboard the USS Tarawa. Four month later our around the world trip brought us back to Alameda. It was an interesting six months. 02/19/2013 @ 14:42 [ref: 67597] |
Kevin J Trefethen Laconia, NH | I served from 1975 - 1988 in HM-12 and HM-16. These were great aircraft flown by even greater Aircrews and thye stayed in the air through the hard work of the maintence people. I rec'd my A/C wings in 1982 with HM-16 (Johnny Mealer, NATOPS check ride), made CPO in 1984 while deployed with HM-16,and Made ENS in 1988 with HM-12. Great people and super deployments. 08/14/2012 @ 03:50 [ref: 65633] |
Tim Anderson , CA | I served in HM-14 as an aircrew from 1979-1982 and spent 9month deployed as a result of the Iranian rescue attempt. 02/26/2012 @ 11:37 [ref: 53352] |
SEDEHI esfahan, OTH | I was in HM12 in 1976 and having a training of mine swiping Iranian air crew it was great days\' remember it all my life 02/07/2012 @ 12:11 [ref: 52443] |
Kevin Paicely Indianapolis, IN | I was assigned to HM 12 from 1975 to 1978 as an aircrewman. Completed 2 Med and 2 west Pack cruises. Flew many hours, enjoyed flying in and working on the aircraft. Would very much like to see and hear from my old shipmates. 07/05/2011 @ 13:46 [ref: 39899] |
Michael Hodges , TX | I was in HM 14 from 1985-1988. Went to the persian gulf in 87-88, on the old Guadalcanal, and later on the Iwojima. To this day I can still hear one of those big rascals flying over, and know exactly whats there. Loved them, hated them. Yoho to all my brothers from the old Vanguard. 06/03/2011 @ 17:42 [ref: 39179] |
david jordan , MO | i first saw the rh-53d walking into the sp hanger on a sunday in 1981 to check into hm-12 for framp.later to serve in hm-14 untill 1984.after serving a brief time on f-4 phantoms in dallas,tx.,i returned to norfolk and was a plank owner in hm-18 untill november of '88.i did a short tour in the reserves until my son was born.transferred to inactive.and faded into the shadows of civilian. 02/07/2011 @ 08:28 [ref: 35944] |
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