The HH-53B was essentially an interim type, with production quickly moving on to the modestly improved Air Force
HH-53C
CSAR variant. The most visible difference between the HH-53B and HH-53C
was that the HH-53C dispensed with the fuel-tank bracing struts.
Experience with the HH-53B showed that the original tank was too big,
adversely affecting performance when they were fully fueled, and so a
smaller 450 US gal (1,703 L) tank was adopted in its place. Other
changes included more armor and a more comprehensive suite of radios to
improve communications with C-130 tankers, attack aircraft supporting
CSAR actions, and aircrews awaiting rescue on the ground. The HH-53C was
otherwise much like the HH-53B, with the more powerful T64-GE-7
engines.
A HH-53 seen from the gunner's position of a helicopter over Vietnam in October 1972
A total of 44 HH-53Cs were built, with introduction to service in
August 1968. Late in the war they were fitted with countermeasures pods
to deal with heat-seeking missiles. As with the HH-53B, the HH-53C was
also used for covert operations and snagging reentry capsules, as well
as snagging reconnaissance drones. A few were assigned to support the
Apollo space program, standing by to recover an in case of a launchpad abort, though such an accident never happened.
In addition to the HH-53Cs, the Air Force obtained 20
CH-53C
helicopters for more general transport work. The CH-53C was apparently
very similar to the HH-53C, even retaining the rescue hoist, the most
visible difference being that the CH-53C did not have an in-flight
refueling probe. Since CH-53Cs were used for covert operations, they
were armed and armored like HH-53Cs.
A good number of Super Jollies were converted into
Pave Low special-operations helicopters.
or
Pave is a USAF code name for a number of weapons systems using advanced electronics.
1/144th ScaleModel Sikorsky HH-53C Jolly Green Giant / USAF,AirWar Over Veitnam series
Kits: Revell (Rare kits!)
Model by: Supawat Putthitornworasit copyright 2012
Specifications (CH,HH-53s)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots, 1 or more crew chiefs
- Capacity: 38 troops (55 in alternate configuration) or 24 stretchers
- Length: 88 ft 6 in (26.97 m)
- Rotor diameter: 72 ft 2.8 in (22.01 m)
- Height: 24 ft 11 in (7.6 m)
- Disc area: 4098.1 sq ft (380.48 m²)
- Airfoil: NACA 0011 MOD
- Empty weight: 23,628 lb (10,740 kg)
- Loaded weight: 33,500 lb (15,227 kg)
- Useful load: 8,000 lb (3,630 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 42,000 lb (19,100 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T64-GE-413 turboshaft, 3,925 shp (2,927 kW) each
- Width (stub wings): 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
- Width (fuselage): 15 ft 6 in (4.7 m)
- Rotor systems: 6 blades on main rotor
Performance
73-1650 
