Revell's CH-53 GS/G into Pave Low III

I, too, would be interested to know what a conversion would entail. I want to make both a USMC -53 and a Pave Low, in 1/48. I have the old Revell CH-53 already, and I'm gonig to find the Revell AG one as well, which one would make the best Pave Low, and which is closest to a -53 in current Marine service???

Cmdcntr,
LemonJello,

the new 1/48 CH-53 GS/G is the best starting point. The old Revell 1/48 CH-53 doesn't have the correct rotor blades. Cobra Company (exterior) and Cutting Edge (Cockpit and Weapons) have all you need to convert the Revell 1/48 CH-53 to a MH-53J Pave Low III.

Converting the Revell kit to a USMC CH-53E is rather hard. The Echo differs in many ways (other rotor head, longer tail section, different tail rotor etc.) to the Delta that is still in service with some USMC units. So if you want a current USMC CH-53 you could go the easy way and build a CH-53D from the Revell kit. A CH-53E is way more work but not impossible. Just remember that you will not be able to use to much of the Revell kit.

There is a nice 1/48 CH-53E in the Gallery over on Heli Kit News. It looks like the Revell kit converted (scratchbuilt) to the Echo. Very nice job.

HTH

How're those 1:35s coming along, by the way?

Who, online, has the new Revell -53? (but then I'd need 2 again, wouldn't I?)

I still have to use the old one for something...guess I could mate it up with a pair of Spads for a Vietnam SAR team...hmmm...that may not be a bad idea...

I have the old Revell 1/48th kit of the CH-53G / HH-53C as well as the MH-53J conversion kit. Do I understand you guys that there is another 1/48th kit that's out ... and due to the rotor blades would make a more accurate J model? I've seen a Revell / Germany kit of the '53 recently but I assumed it was the same kit as what I have. If this is the kit you're talking about, what's different other than the blades and decals?
Thanks,
Paul

I just picked up the new Revell -53 kit today. It's the CH-53G/GS version and still has the parts of the older kit as well. Looking at the sprues, there's a new set of rotor blades that have a different shape to them. The bat wings and fuel tanks are also added as well as various RWR antenna for the improved German model and a set of filters for the engines. It doesn't look like the interior has changed much other than some structural ribbing near the ramp. I never built the older version so there might have been more added that I didn't cover here. I found a good link for the conversion of the older kit into a MH-53J Pave Low III. Hope this helps. http://m2reviews.cnsi.net/reviews/mod/marshallh53.htm

Thanks for the link. Looks like I'll have to add the newer -53 to my wish list. along with the -46 and -47.

Does anyone know for sure what color the landing gear bays are on the overall Gunship Grey Pave Low? I think they're the same color as the airframe, but I'm not sure. Good luck with everyone's converstion. I'm still waiting on my cockpit and weapons sets to come in but the cockpit should be here sometime next week. Can't wait.

The bays vary from when it was painted, but generally they are the same as the aircraft. I'm an MH-53 Pave Low Flight Engineer, so if you guys need any help, I'd be glad to.

Vince