For at least the next years, patchedup 53es will remain on the job. Navys primary aerial mine countermeasures aircraft. Nicknamed the vanguard and flying the mh53e sea dragon, it comprises both active duty and reserve personnel. Sea dragons can deliver up to 55 personnel to a landing zone or carry. The newest militaly version of sikorskys h53es80 series,the mh53e sea dragon,is the western worlds largest helicopter. The mh53e helicopter is capable of using a variety of amcm equipment. Watch this giant mh53e sea dragon execute a quick stop. The mh53e sea dragon mine countermeasures helicopter was developed for the us navy to replace rh53ds. It is the sister squadron to hm15, the blackhawks, based at naval station norfolk. Militarys most powerful helicopters keep killing troops in. The newest military version of sikorskys h53es80 series, the mh53e sea dragon, is the western worlds largest helicopter. Sikorsky s80 mh53 sea dragon minesweeping helicopter. Cpi aerostructures announces mh53e sea dragon component mro contract from sikorsky aircraft.
As the sikorsky s80 it was developed from the ch53 sea stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. But, they can also pick up the slack for seahawks when it comes to other roles such as assault support. The mh53e can operate from carriers and other warships, and is capable of towing a variety of mine huntingsweeping countermeasures systems, including the mk 105 minesweeping sled, the asq14 sidescan sonar, and the mk 103 mechanical minesweeping. An mh53e sea dragon helicopter assigned to helicopter mine countermeasures squadron 15, maneuvers in position during a training mission in the u. Aviation collectibles, military patches and insignia from. New unused 4 patch for the sikorsky mh53e super sea stallion. The sikorsky mh53 is a variant of the ch53 except for a few particulars such as fuels and. This is the first time this aircraft has been rendered in 148 scale and like its ch53 brother, it is quite an impressive model. Fly with the sea dragons of mh53e in this hand crafted mh53 model. Details about mh53e h53 sea dragon stallion us navy usmc sikorsky helicopter squadron patch. The sikorsky mh53 is a variant of the ch53 except for a few particulars such as fuels and weights.
This definitive mcm mine countermeasures version has enormously enlarged side sponsons for an extra 3785 liters of fuel, for extended sweeping missions with the engines at sustained high power. Discontinued sikorsky mh53e super sea stallion patches appear from left to right above. Sea dragons are used primarily for airborne mine countermeasures amcm, with secondary missions of vertical shipboard delivery and assault support. In addition to the base wedo set 158 pieces, there are designs that use the wedo resource set 325 additional pieces. Hh60 seahawk uss enterprise cvn65 sh60f seahawk hs5 sh60h seahawk delivers seal team to uss hampton ssn767 sh60b seahawk hsl47 uss antietam cg54 photo po2 swartz usn. Navy sikorsky helicopter mh53e sea dragon military clothback patch this usn u. Academy 12703 148 sikorsky mh53e sea dragon kit first look. Another replica, a real marvel, the mh53e sea dragon helicopter from sikorsky. Hm12 sea dragon mh53e model squadron nostalgia llc.
Description the mh53e is used primarily for airborne mine countermeasures amcm, with secondary missions of. A variant of the ch53 sea stallion, the mh53e is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than its. Hm12 took delivery of its first mh53e sea dragon helicopter on may 28, 1987. Technologically superior to its predecessor, the mh53e represented a quantum leap forward for the amcm community. Helicopter mine countermeasures squadron 14 hm14 is a united states navy helicopter squadron based at naval station norfolk, virginia. Hm12 sea dragons helicopter mine countermeasures squadron. The mh53e sea dragon is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than its ancestor, the ch53e super stallion. Each piece is carefully carved from wood and hand painted. Academy 148 scale model kit 148 mh53e sea dragon 12703. This photo on the wall in the familys home shows wes flying a sea dragon. Marines use a ch53e super stallion to lift a humvee during an exercise. Two years after academy released their excellent 148th scale kit of the ch53e, they finally came out with the mh53e.
Thats the one thanks to all of the contributors to this topic in the past month. Burdick said the parts included two mh53e sea dragon airframes, two sets of tow booms and ramp boxes, and 12 engines, all to be supplied by japans maritime selfdefense force. Corresponding descriptions appear below from top to bottom. This is the desert version of the sea dragon mh53e helicopter patch. Italeri mh53e sea dragon plastic model helicopter kit 1.
Ch53 sea stallion mh53e sea dragon mh53j pave low iii the ch53d sea stallion is designed for the transportation of equipment, supplies and personnel during the assault phase of an amphibious operation and subsequent operations ashore. Mh53s can operate from carriers and other warships. I bought this book as a resource for superdetailing a plastic model assembly kit of the sea dragon helicopter. The sea dragon was a potent addition to the navys mine countermeasures arsenal. Identifiable by their extra large composite construction sponsons which house extra fuel, the mh53es tow a hydrofoil sledge carrying mechanical, acoustic and magnetic sensors for mine detection. Mh53e h53 sea dragon stallion us navy usmc sikorsky. Used extensively both afloat and ashore, the sea stallion was the heavy lift helicopter for the marine corps until the introduction of the ch53e. It also has upgraded adverse weather avionics allowing it to operate in the worst of conditions. Page 5 of 7 naval air squadrons rotary h helicopter squadrons posted in garth thompson navy, coast guard and other sea services patches.
Capable of both internal and external transport of supplies, the ch53d is shipboard compatible and capable of operation in adverse weather conditions both. Theres still a lot of stuff in a very large box, but the only difference is one sprue and the two cartograf decal sheets. The less common mh53e sea dragon fills the united states navys need for long range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures amcm missions. Navy rotary wing aircraft images united states sea. Hm15 blackhawks helicopter mine countermeasures squadron.
Captain todd flannery says the mh53e sea dragon helicopter is safe and that its mission is vital. Navy sikorsky helicopter mh53e sea dragon military clothback patch is a very rare detailed historic military reference item. J wesley van dorn, was killed in a mh53e sea dragon helicopter crash in january of 2014. The sikorsky ch53e super stallion is a heavylift helicopter operated by the united states military. Mh53e patch sea dragon large quantity discounts available, please call. It was built by sikorsky aircraft for the united states marine corps. The type has gone through a turbulent patch in recent years but a. The ch53s dark present but bright future on this the choppers. Navys mh53e sea dragon is very similar to the ch53e but comes with additional capabilities for airborne mine countermeasures amcm, vertical onboard delivery, and special missions which require longer range and more precise navigation than that of the ch53e. Ch53 sea stallion mh53e sea dragon mh53j pave low iii.
Sea dragons are used primarily for airborne mine countermeasures amcm, with secondary missions of vertical shipboard delivery and. Italeri mh53e sea dragon ita551065 mh53e sea dragon assemble the mh53e sea dragon with this 1. Hm14 mh53e sea dragon briefing stick ch53 helicopter. The navys mh53e sea dragon, along with their marine ch53e super stallion cousins, are the largest and most powerful helicopters in the pentagons inventory. Media in category mh 53e sea dragon interiors the following 55 files are in this category, out of 55 total. The mh53e is used primarity for airborne mine countermeasures amcm,with a secondary job of shipboard delivery. Some really terrific and rarely seen helo patches for all see and covet for their own collections. It is equipped with the 8,000 pound analq166 minesweeping sled, the. Lot of 34 us military sew on patches army usaf patch lot. The ch53e super stallion and mh53e sea dragon can carry 16 tons of supplies, cargo, vehicles, artillery, and troops for 50 nautical miles. Helicopter sikorsky mh53e sea dragon serial 65555 register 163057 used by us navy united states naval aviation.