1/48 MH53 Pave Low III

fistius wrote:

the Academy CH53

Sorry Chris,

but the Academy CH53 is the CH-53E varient.  The E varient is a completely different airframe than the MH-53J Pave Low. 

CH-53E is longer and wider than CH-53A's, CH-53D's, CH-53G's, HH-53B's and HH-53C's.  MH-53J's and MH-53M's are rebuilt HH-53B's and C's. 

The CH-53E's and MH-53E's have larger rotor heads with 7 blades.  A's, B's, C's, D's, G's, J's and M's have 6 rotor blades.  The E's have 3 engines compared to other models' 2 engines.  The E's have a canted tail rotor as opposed to straight. 

If you'd like to build a MH-53J, Academy's CH-53E would be a very bad place to start.  You'd be better off starting with Revell of Germany's CH-53G.  The G model is very similar to the C and D models.  Most, if not all, MH-53J's were once HH-53C's.  

There is very little in common between the CH-53E and MH-53J.  It would be like converting a Ford Mustang into a Chevy Camaro. 

Sorry to be the one with the bad news.

Semper Fi,

Chris 

  You need to start with the Revell kit.  Also, Cobra Company has a MH-53J weapons set too.  Check this thread for more info.

Good luck.

Thanks guys, lucky I posted before buying!

Cheers, Chris

Chris, I have 2 unbuilt kits of the Revelle Ch-53G. The kits are ok considering their age and are no longer availiable except from collectors. I am planning to build one of there to MH-53M config. I will be building a model of the HH-53C that I was crew chief on many years ago. This aircraft was eventually remanned to MH-53M config and was recently sent to AMARC at Davis Monthan in Az. Shortly, if not already, all 53's will be at the bone yard. My bird was the first 53 to fly into Iraq during the first Gulf war and was most recently at Hurlburt Field in norhtern FL.

  I might consider selling one of these, they are in original boxes and still in the factory bags. These are fairly basic kits and I have Cobra Co's modification kits to up grade to MH config.

  I am looking for the Revelle 1/72 scale HH3-E kit that came out many years ago and hard to find now. I am planning to convert the Haws SH-3H to an HH-3E, lots of work and modifications to do. I need the H-3 kit to use a guide to the bottom fuse and ramp area.

jolly0356 wrote:

Shortly, if not already, all 53's will be at the bone yard.

Not all,  The Marine Corps 53E's are a vital part of Marine Aviation and will be flying for many years to come.  Sikorsky is developing an entirely new airframe, the CH-53K, to carry on after the 53E. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

ridleusmc wrote:

jolly0356 wrote: Shortly, if not already, all 53's will be at the bone yard.  Not all,  The Marine Corps 53E's are a vital part of Marine Aviation and will be flying for many years to come.  Sikorsky is developing an entirely new airframe, the CH-53K, to carry on after the 53E.  Semper Fi, Chris

What he said with an 'oh by the way' -the 53 Deltas and Pave Low III's are supposedly going to be replaced by the CV/MV-22.  I went to the Marine Expo here on Quantico and saw some stuff on the -53K, looks like a monster.