HH-53 C Conversion

Anybody...... anyone......

I have no Idea, but I have seen an Italeri MH-53J Pavelow kit around. I have a squadron/signal book on the whole H-53 series, but it's in NC. I'm in CA at the moment. I wish I could help ya.

I am not so sure there is a 1/72 conversion set. I have seen a couple conversion sets for the Revell 1/48th scale CH-53 kit. I have not been able to find anything in 1/72. I may have been thinking of the 1/48 conversion when I told you there was aconversion set out there, sorry. It shouldn't be too hard to find the 1/72 Italeri MH-53J Pave Low kit though.

Thanks for the info guys. I should just build this kit OOTB & look for the Pavelow kit.

This may be too late...but here's a thought...to the best of my knowledge, the CH-53C is the USAF version of the CH-53A /D flown by the Marines. After Vietnam wound down (so to speak...I don't know what happened, when I left we were winning!) many of the CH-53A/D's were sent to Davis Monthan (spl?) for moth balling. They were subsequently almost all retrieved and converted to PAVE LOWs by the USAF. Cutting Edge makes some weapons sets for the PAVE, but there's probably others. Try Cobra Products also. Basically, the PAVE LOW is a CH-53A/C/D that has the weapons and electronic pods installed. Hope that helps. I was a crew chief on the CH-53A/D during the late 60's & early 70's.
Rich Erickson

There's a 1/72 MH-53J Pavelow made by Italeri; but it's currently OOP so keep an eye on eBay. I've got that same HH-53 kit as you and I'm going to finish it as a Vietnam era Super Jolly Green.

Cobra Company makes a Pave Low conversion, but it's for the 1/48 Revell Germany CH-53 kit (I think you'll have to scour eBay for one of those kits too).

If you don't like E-bay? Just go here, do a search for CH-53 and order yourself one.
http://www.rollmodels.com/
I just checked and they have it listed for $23.00.

I've got the old Revell HH-53 on the shelf, but I'm always looking for any other 1/48 -53s. It's an old wish, but I keep holding out hope that someone will make a kit of the USMC -53E, maybe to go alongside my 1/48 Phrog?

LemonJello, I could not be more on-board with your wish! The -53E is the only piece of the puzzle that we are missing for a complete 1/48th representation of Marine Air!
.........sigh....maybe someday.

I was recently browsing through FSM back issues web pages and noticed that the November 1991issue has an article on converting a Airfix HH-53 to an MH-53J Pave Low . I was thinking of ordering this back issue in the near future , it may have some great tips for the conversion ; I've built 6 H-53's in 1/72 scale , one early USMC version [airfix kit comes with optional engine inlets and two types of sponsons if you wish to leave off the additional fuel tanks] . Another Airfix kit I built as an USAF version but with an ADC gray color scheme ; four italeri kits , a HH-53C Vietnam camouflage the other was a MH-53J Pave Low III {Desert Storm] ; one U.S.Navy RH-53D and a MH-53E Sea Dragon Mine Sweeper . In my stash I have an USMC CH-53E Super Stallion to build and I recently stripped back my old Revell 1/48 Sea Stallion to Re-Do as an USMC CH-53D . I really like Sikorsky H-53 Helicopters, it's my favourite helicopter , and I'm allways on the look-out for another one to add to my collection .

Question for our resident Marines - I'm not overly familiar with the H-53 line outside of the Air Force's Pave Pigs. Out of curiosity, is it possible to convert the aforementioned 1/72 HH-53C or MH-53J kit into a CH-53E Super Stallion? Or would one have to look up that MH-53E Sea Dragon kit?

Not a Marine, Grant. But, here is a post regarding your question, only in 1/48.
I hope it helps.
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=43434

D'OH!!!! Thanks Randie. That's not an old topic either. I should have searched before speaking.

I gotta get this house thing settled and get some sleep...

No problem, Grant.
We ALL have our moments!!!