MH-53E Query II

Yes. The CH-53K will have interior sound-absorbing panels. But unlike the blanketed hard overhead panels, and soft side panels used on the CH/MH/S-80M, the K will use un-blanketed hard panels for both the overhead and side installations.

Stephen

Both the main and nose landing gear wheel wells are the same color as the exterior of the aircraft. The following information was taken directly from the MH-53E Detail Specification.

3.2.6 FINISH

Finish and protective coatings shall be in accordance with MIL-F-7179. Exterior surfaces shall be aerodynamically smooth. In addition, permanent and removable hydraulic lines and fittings located on the rotor head, in wheel wells, and in those areas exposed whenever the tail pylon is folded shall be painted in accordance with paragraph 5.9.1(a) and (b) or MIL-F-7179, up to approximately 1 inch from each fitting. Color shall be black polyurethane No. 37038. Interior permanent or removable hydraulic lines shall not be painted. The organic finish for exterior surfaces shall be MIL-P-85582 Type II primer, and MIL-C-85285 paint, with the exterior color painted flat engine gray (FED-STD-595) color No. 36081 with markings applied in color No. 35237. The main transmission cavity between stations 322 and 362 shall be light gull gray, No. 36440, MIL-C-85285. Dynamic components that receive exterior paint finishes, such as rotor heads, drive shafts, transmission components, etc. shall be painted as follows: (1) those surfaces that are externally visible shall be painted black polyurethane color No. 37038; and (2) those surfaces that are not visible externally shall be painted light gull gray polyurethane color No. 36440. Main and tail rotor blades shall be painted all over with lusterless black color No. 37038 except for two locator stripes for the blade handler on the main rotor blade. Wash primer, MIL-C-8514, is required as an undercoating for epoxy primer on corrosion resistant steel, nickel, or chromium plated surfaces.

3.2.6.1 EXTERIOR COLOR

Exterior color shall be in accordance with FED-STD-595, color No. 36081 (Gray).

3.2.6.2 INTERIOR COLOR
Interior color shall be in accordance with MIL-C-8779 except that camouflage dull black paint to match FED-STD-595, color No. 37038, may be used in the cockpit, and that pilot and copilot seat cushion color shall be black.

3.2.6.3 INSIGNIA AND MARKING
Insignia and marking shall be in accordance with MIL-I-18464, except that exterior insignia and marking shall be polyurethane FED-STD-595, color No. 35237, and in general accordance with Naval Air Depot (NADEP) Drawing No. D38875, dated November 17, 1977.

Hope that helps.

Stephen

Actually the sound proofing panels were more of a light blue grey, almost a powder blue color. They were attached by means of hook and loop material better known to us as "velcro!" The Marines have removed all the sound proofing, both hard and soft panels from there aircraft because it was just to hard to mantin. Not sure if the new CH-53K will have any sound proofing in it yet or not.

Jerry

Download MIL-STD-2161 which is the paint and marking guide for US Naval aircraft. If its not in there let me know and I will do some more reseach.

 Jerry

I certainly appreciate all the assistance from everyone. Thanks again.

Dick McC

Hello HMA, welcome to the forums! Well now that's what I call an answer. Thanks a lot and have a nice day

Pawel

The regs (MIL-STD-2161A (AS) 1 May 1993 "Paint Schemes and Exterior Markings for US Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft") say Gloss Insignia White (17925) with Gloss Insignia Red (11136) edges for the wheel wells and doors, except for aircraft in tactical paint schemes, where either Black (37038) or the same gray used on the aircraft shall be used.

Hello!

I'm the last to say I know for sure, but my opinnion is the wheel bays should be white on the inside. On some aircraft even with red borders on the doors. The only ones I've seen that weren't white were silver or zinc chromate (rarely). But that's different from one aircraft type to another. I'd say we're still waiting for somebody to take a look on the real thing. Please help! Thanks in advance and have a nice day

Pawel

Dave,

I certainly appreciate the effort and the assistance. I'm building up Academy's 1/48th MH-53E for a buddy, retired USN Chief, who worked on them as a birthday surprise and trying to get it as accurate as possible. Will go with your suggestion of gray. Thanks again.

P.S. I googled FRAMP and came up with the below:

FRAMP	Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel
FRAMP	Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Personnel

Dick McC

Okay, found the photo have only one....now remember, this was in 1989/90 -- and it is a CH-53E, not the MH, (and I didn't attend the FRAMP fort 53Es, they were MHs--- but that interrion has a "soundproofing padding"...attached by velcro -- probably about 4-5 feet wide and up to about 8-10 feet long -- went top to floor the longways...and these were a plain old grey....I do not recall noticin a different color..nothing that caused pause..so I'm guessing a plain light to medium Navy grey would suffice....but that's just one mans opinion.

Hope it helped to some degree.

, Dave

P.S. -- anyone remember what the acronym stands for? I'm have floating around in my brain,  Fleet Readiness Aviation Maitenance Program? Schools for maintenance personel and there was FRAC, for Aircrew.

Unsure if the MH would be different from the CH, but I'll liik through my old photos from active duty this evening.....worked on CH-53Es for 2.5 years....88-91. Can't promise anything....but I'll look.

, Dave

I have seen all wheel wells painted white.

Aids in seeing/finding fluid leaks.

ok dick, i guess that's to be expected. i have a "thicker" skin i suppose but that's me only. that said, looks like its taken care of. i hope you got good answers to your questions. and i hope your build is amazing!

for camo junkie.....

sorry, I'm bothered.....

Dick McC

 

dick, dont let this bother you. obviously, maffen has a child who is acting out or someone has accessed his account. or, he's off his medication. i mean look at the line "bring pink....dumb ***". why would you "bring" anything...based upon your question. then they have the audacity to call you dumb...LOL. it has to be a kid or someone of mediocre intelligence at best. they cant even put a proper sentence together. tis is going on all over the forum which is why i have to believe someone has accessed his account or a child of is is acting out. for him to have been here as long as he has and "suddenly" start acting this way is out of character. i think a temporary banning until this issue is resolved is probably best after all i've seen. but again, dont get offended...something just isnt right.

I'm building Academy's 1/48 scale kit right now, and the instructions do not give a color for the bays.  It does, however, state that the landing gear itself is the same dark gray as the overall color.  I would assume this is probably correct, and, I'll be painting the bays on mine the same grey as the overall helo.  But, then again, I'm definitely no helicopter expert and this may be incorrect...I just like the look of it and build for fun.  Hope this helps.

Edited for content.